Pole Drop Fix Drill
By Alan Roark, Vault Coach, Amherst Steele HS, Amherst, Ohio
This drill is designed to help the vaulter understand the path the pole tip should take in the pole drop during the plant and help fix a common problem that often occurs.
The path the pole tip takes during the plant can make the take-off easier or more difficult. The pole tip should drop in almost a straight line to the box. This straight path makes it very easy to hit the box while running full speed. However, many vaulters tend to move their right hand out away from their body, causing the pole tip to drop in an outwardly curved path on its way to the box making the plant much more difficult to time up.
A simple way to show the vaulter the path that the pole should take is to have them stand, holding the pole upright, let go of their right hand, and let the pole drop, pivoting in their left hand. The pole will naturally drop in an almost straight line to the box.
Next, have them drop the pole again and let their right hand follow the pole up their side while they drop the pole over their left hand. This should get the idea across to them to keep their right hand close to their body during the plant.
I think that one of the things that causes the vaulter to “wing” the plant is carrying the pole with their right behind their hip during the run and plant.
Having their right hand too far back during the plant binds up their right hand as it rises with the plant and forces them to “wing” the plant out to the side.
A simple fix for this is to have them move their right hand to their hip while they run. This allows the hand to take a clear path up their side during the plant.
If all of this doesn’t fix their tendency to “wing” the plant, have them practice 100 plants standing next to a wall. They won’t move their hand away from their body more than one time. The next 99 plants should pattern the correct path for the right hand.
If you watch the plant from behind the vaulter, you can easily see if the pole tip is dropping the way it should.