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[Tim McMichael]

The vast majority of athletes killed in this sport have gone off the back of the mats. Their legs catch the back of the pit and this accelerates their head into the ground with more than enough velocity to prove fatal (even with a helmet). This is the WORST thing that can happen to a vaulter. Landing in the box is much rarer, and involves less velocity. In my opinion, weight ratings are valuable for preventing this kind of disaster. There is always the option to go to a shorter pole to help get on one above your weight.

[fchipr]

Can ya refresh my brain on where you posted those 7 and 10 step vaults of yours?

Thanx
coach chip

PS Tahoe is still open, save your pennies for air fare.

Late

[VTechVaulter]

a lot of it has to simply do with selection though. if there were enough knowledgeable coaches this rule would not need to exist. Ive never broken a pole rated below my body weight, and ive broken 3 rated above. I just spent an entire week at earl bells place and never used a pole above my body weight. At the current moment i weigh 192 lbs. and i was using a 15'190 capping it from 3 lefts. And was not over bending.

The danger comes from the chord length being to short with no upward movement. Hell last year i was bending a 13'7 155 weight 185, from 2 lefts. But i can jump the pole up well enough that its not dangerous.

In a high school or smaller college situation where pole selection is not great, there is no harm in someone weighing 150 lbs to be holding like 12'6-130' on a 140 as long as they aren't "sitting on it" or pulling. This is why i feel straight pole vaulting is an important skill to learn. If you can learn to jump the pole up and swing. But if you just jump and hang or pull your gonna break poles rated over your body weight anyway.


thats my belief and im stickin with it