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I am questioning the process for certifying poles for high school meets. Correct me if I am wrong, but pole “weightsâ€Â

I know it seems crazy, in NJ they don't weigh us. So that means that half the people lie about their weights at meets.

The simple explanation is that at the high school level, most coaches, officials, and administrators are idiots.

Same deal in Missouri, they don't weight us so most everyone vaults on poles that are to small. I have one pole that is 10 lbs. too small at the moment.

I vote for adopting the three strikes rule and getting rid of the weight rating rule. Who cares what the weight rating is on a pole if the kid is landing safely in the middle of the pit

I Completly agree. One thing that bothers me is JV kids who are straight pole-ing asking me what pole the should be on, they say "i can't jump on this, im 2 pounds over." I tell them it dosn't matter, but they don't understand because the stupid band says likewise. Most people who jump on the same weight as their pole arn't bending the pole all that much, and people who crush poles are usually well under the given weight for that pole.

what would the "three strikes" rule be?

Aviendha wrote:what would the "three strikes" rule be?

If XX part of your torso fails to land in the preferred landing zone (as set by the ASTM) 3 times, you are done jumping. Whatever height you cleared is your final height.

There's no generally accepted amount of torso that has to land in the PLZ yet... I think it should be ANY part of the torso, some people think it should be more.

The preferred landing zone is the white (or whatever color) square you see in the middle of some newer pits.

This would also take care of some "spotting" issues, especially if this rule would be applied to warmups as well.

I agree with that, it seems to be the simplest, cheapest, safest way to solve a lot of the safety concerns with pole vaulting. But there are some people that don't think that athletes should be able to be ejected from competition due to safety problems.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Kris, didn't you come up with the 3 strike idea? Seems like the most practical solution to the problem to me.

rainbowgirl28 wrote:I vote for adopting the three strikes rule and getting rid of the weight rating rule. Who cares what the weight rating is on a pole if the kid is landing safely in the middle of the pit

hey i agree there should be responsibility of offcials to disqualify athletes if their skills are not up to minimum safety standards.