The following drills aim to improve the approach or run up. Staying relaxed and gradually increasing speed to a maximum controllable take off speed is what we are trying to achieve as well as being as efficient as possible.
Standing Pole Vault drills
The approach or run up should enable the vaulter to run as freely as possible and build up speed gradually for the plant. The pole should start inline with the skeleton so the weight is not carried purely by the arms, but by the body. A smooth and gradual pole drop throughout the run-up is the aim.
Most athletes use a high knee action and lean forward slightly. As they run their foot strikes the ground directly underneath the hips, pushing them forward. The hands should be around shoulder width apart. The following practice drills am to improve the run-up.
Walking Pole Vault drills
The plant is a very important part of the vault. Get this wrong and it will not just result in a poor vault but could cause painful injury. The following plant drills work on plant technique a step at a time.
The pole moves through, right arm up the line of the body into an extended take of position. Looking for the right arm to do the movement, nice and swift, the left arm to act as a pivot for the pole to drop over. Don’t take the weight of the pole with the Left arm.