There is no event that requires more technique than the pole vault.
This event requires tremendous skill. For an athlete to learn the pole vault, they need a coach who is knowledgeable and has great teaching skills.
In the video clip below, Jeff Martin, Indiana State University Assistant Track & Field Coach, shows you how to teach the “swing”, one of the critical components in a successful vault. He offers clear instructions and drills to help you teach this skill.
The YouTube clip below features the “swing” and has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)
After the athlete has completed their approach and take off, they need to achieve the reverse C position and initiate the swing. It is important to have a fast, smooth swing to achieve upward momentum in the hips and downward momentum in the shoulders and head. This will put the athlete in an inverted position. Then, when the pole unbends, the athlete will be thrust up and over the bar.
The number one rule for a correct swing is to never throw your head back. The head should remain in a neutral position. The athlete should initiate a long sweeping motion with their long leg, as if they were trying to kick a ball off the mat.
The first drill is the one-arm swing drill. The athlete will sweep their leg and land on the rear end. A coaching point here is to remind the athlete not to pull with their top hand.
The second drill is the half swing drill. They will use two hands to plant and will swing to a level position.