Pole vaulting is an activity in track and field that requires the participant to accurately do an array of steps in succession. If one part of the approach to a vaulting try is off, it throws off each part afterward. Pole vaulters need to perfect their sprint approach, their takeoff point, their pole position and their swing-up. Most important, they need to understand how each part of the process helps the next.
Approach and Takeoff
Building speed and setting the correct progression of steps is the first part of a successful attempt at pole vaulting. Reaching top speed quickly is not as important as making sure that you are at top speed when you get ready to plant the pole. According to Texastrack.com, "The run is not over when the athlete hits his takeoff mark. They must run through the last step and long jump into the pit in order to have a good swing and bend larger poles." The site suggests taking 24 strides on the approach and taking off from the lead foot.
Pole and Hand Position
The sprint is a step in the process, but what propels the athlete up over the bar is the pole. That means athletes can do the first step right, but if they make a mistake with their pole position, it will ruin the try. The Texastrack.com site advises athletes that they must "let the pole do most of the work, so bend it and let it throw you over the bar." Another way to get the pole to do a majority of the work is by utilizing proper hand positioning. The recommended positioning is to have one hand on the front of the pole, the other on the back. Texastrack.com advises that the front hand should be higher than the back hand.
Swing-Up
Once athletes begin to get airborne, the swing-up determines how high they will be able to get up. Errors in the swing-up not only can prevent high marks but can also contribute to injuries due to errant actions. Athletes should aim to get inverted, or put themselves upside down, as they ascend. A perfect position on the swing-up is when the feet are pointed to the sky and the head is pointed straight down. The National Pole Vault Coaches Association details how to get to that point on its website, saying "The take-off leg whips through as the hips swing upward and inward toward the shoulders. The head and shoulders then drop down underneath the hands to allow the hips and legs to continue going up."
Descent
After athletes get over the bar, or hit it, they must fall in a fashion that places them on their back on the mat. Athletes who descend head first put themselves at risk for terrible injuries. It is the final step in a vaulting attempt and does not affect the height the athlete gets credit for, but it is a dangerous situation that athletes must prepare for.
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