Jump-Thump Take-off
By Alan Roark, Vault Coach, Amherst Steele, HS, Amherst, Ohio
Well, here goes as I try to explain what is a controversial subject in the vault. At Amherst, I teach an outside take off that I call a Jump-thump take off. Petrov and Launder call it a Pre-Jump.
Here’s the basics. The vaulter jumps off of the ground driving the pole up BEFORE the pole hits the back of the box. I’ll explain it in depth and explain why I think it’s a better, safer, and more efficient way to take off in the vault.
First the Theory.
The higher a pole is angled, the easier it is to bend. Simple test. Put a light weight pole in the box and put the top end on your shoulder and try to bend it. Now, take the same pole and hold your top hand as high above your head as you can reach and try to bend it. Obviously it’s much easier. This is based on the idea you get a better push on the pole to get the bend started. Now, if you stand on a 6” high box you will be able to reach 6” higher and bend the pole even easier. The Jump thump take off can get you that extra 6”.
Next, if you can get your front hand up above your head at takeoff, you can bend the pole more easily and jump on a stiffer, longer pole
Next, you want to take off in a vertical position with your hips below your shoulders or slightly behind your shoulders to set up a great leg swing
Next, if you take off under or inside of the optimum take off position, your hips will be driven forward too soon and it will be much more difficult to get a great swing.
Now the advantages:
When you jump early, you can be “taller” than you can if you are on the ground when the pole hits the back of the box
There’s no resistance to getting a great jump at the take off.
You NEVER take off inside or under.
You can use a 5- 15 lb bigger pole so the top end of the vault has more zing to it.
Your shoulders and lower back no longer hurt.
You are ALWAYS in a great take off position with your hands up and your trail leg back.
Limits to put on the Jump Thump.
The jump thump take of is a very smooth flowing take off that makes the other stages easier to control and flow together.
It’s easier to keep more energy in the vault because there’s no shock like there is by being under.
I believe from my experience that a male vaulter on a 14’ pole can take off easily from 12’ inches out and jump around 45º.
8” and 30º on a 15’ pole.
6” and 20º on a 16’ pole
3” and 18º on a bigger pole
I basically sell it that taking off 1-3” out is like stepping on ice and it’s a whole new world that you’re going to love” It just “flows” off of the ground.
The ability to jump becomes more difficult, the longer the pole gets. However, any jump thump causes great things to happen.
The main thing to watch for is that they are rising when the pole hits. If they don’t actively jump or they take off too far out they will be going down when the pole hits and that’s not a good thing.
How to make it happen.
Start small. Use a short, easy to jump on pole from 3-4 lefts and start playing with the idea. Keep moving back and back until the jump thump occurs. The vaulter will hear the “thump” of the pole hitting the box shortly after they jump.
When they get it, discuss how it felt and what they thought about it. Most vaulters really like it. It’s a much easier on them at take-off and it’s really easy on their shoulders. (Remember, when working on a new skill, only use positive reinforcement. No criticism. The transition will happen much faster.)
Once they start getting it, they will have to go to a much stiffer pole to stay in the front half of the pit. Don’t be in a hurry to go to a longer pole.
You can lay a towel on the ground just in front of the spot you want them to take off from or you can use the “pool noodle drill”.
Spend lots of time and lots of small pole jumps to get them really comfortable with the idea before moving to bigger and longer poles.
If you go back and look at all of the take off based Drills of the Month, you will notice that they all promote a good, high hand, long-jump type of take off. We go for height, distance, and power at the takeoff to drive the pole up and forward.
Arguments I’ve heard against using an outside take off.
“All of the world-class vaulters take off on or in.”
So. All of the first world-class vaulters straight vaulted, too. Things change and get better. I wonder how high the current world-class vaulters could jump if they didn’t get slammed at the take off like they do. Maybe more of the energy of their run would end up in the vault instead of the impact. Hmm.
“Bubka didn’t take off outside”
I’ve read articles by him and he said he always tried to do a “free” take off and his best jumps were 8” out. (www.polevaulteducation.com)
“accelleration stops as soon as you leave the ground”
I will give up a microsecond of acceleration to get on a bigger pole and have more room to swing better.
The vaulters that I’ve coached all say they feel a “free rush” at the take off. It’s like you’re no longer obstructed by the pole hitting the box at take off. It just flows better.
Article by Alan Lander explaining the “pre-jump”:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/technique/112-Alan_Launder.pdf
Article by Serge Bubka explaining the “free” take off:
http://www.polevaulteducation.org/Bubka_Interview.html
Coming soon is an article about how to teach the “Jump Thump” take off. It’s my view that hardly anyone knows how to teach it.