15 Rules for the Pole Vault

Track and Field is considered a non-contact sport, injuries are related to overuse - the pole vault being the exception. While it is not possible to prevent injuries completely, coaches have a list of unwritten rules that aim to help keep vaulters safe. The following is a collection of rules that I formulated from both personal experiences and in discussions with other pole vault coaches.

  1. Do not pole vault alone

    You need someone to catch your step, catch your pole, give you feedback on proper form, and in case of an accident, get you the emergency care you may need.

  2. Do not miss the box

    Keep your eyes on the target, which is the vaulting box, not the crossbar.

  3. Do not slow down

    Speed is your friend. The faster you run through the take-off the safer you will be.

  4. Do not let go of the pole

    If you are not 100% certain you have penetrated and will land safely in the pits than do not let go of the pole. As long as you hold on to the pole you cannot fall into the box. If you do not penetrate you can hold onto the pole and ride it back to the ground safely.

  5. Do not land on your feet in the pole vault pits

    Landing on your feet on uneven or soft surfaces is dangerous. Sooner or later you will roll your ankle, and the higher you vault the more dangerous and painful it will be.

  6. Do not vault on the wrong size pole

    If you play around on a pole too small it will break. Even if the pole does not look like it is bending too much it can fail through crush weight.

  7. Do not hold higher than you are capable.

    The higher you hold on the pole the more difficult it is to control your vault. Always stay in control.

  8. Do not vault if the pole is impeded by the box collar or pit

    If the pole is bending into the pits and/or is impeded by the box collar, it may stop the pole from bending and cause you to stall out over the box and/or break the pole.

  9. Do not vault with the standards closer than 60 cm

    Do not be tempted to move the standards closer than 60 cm from the box. If you are stalling out over the bar your options are to run faster, improve your technique, or use a smaller pole. Moving the standards dangerously forward should not be an option.

  10. Do not vault without standard pads

    Make sure that the pads surrounding the standards are in place ALWAYS. If you misalign your plant, either to the right or left, you will head in that direction.

  11. Do not vault with objects close to the pits

    Remove poles, chairs, hurdles, plyometric boxes, and all other objects at least 15 feet away from the pits. Make sure non-movable objects or surfaces are covered with foam (cement curbs, wood trim, sprinkler boxes, etc).

  12. Do not cross a runway without looking BOTH ways

    Getting hit by someone traveling 9 meters per second with a long pole hurts - a lot! When walking back to the start of the runway hold your pole straight up and down to avoid clipping someone running by.

  13. Do not step over a vaulting pole

    All it takes is a small nick from your spikes and a $500.00 pole is destroyed. Make it a point to protect your own poles by not laying them down where people have to step over them. Always have someone catch your pole so it does not strike the runway.

  14. Do not vault with wet tape

    If your handgrip tape is wet change it immediately. Chalk over wet tape only makes a slippery paste. A good, solid, confident, and dry grip is essential.

  15. Do not vault without an end cap

    Put an end cap on the top of your pole to avoid becoming a human shish kabob. We've all seen the video.

The first concern of any athlete, parent, or coach is to keep the athlete safe so they can continue to train and learn how to go higher. If you have additional rules you’d like to add or share your experience with, please include them in the comments below.

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Free vs. Clean Take-off

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The Case for Counting Backward