Overview
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Background / Records
Philosophy
Talent Identification/
Recruiting
Planning (Pre-Season)
6 Elements of Pole Vault /
Drills
Practice Structure
Questions/Video
Background
Coaching
Athlete
Middle School (5th-8th)
 7’, 7’, 10’6”, 12’ 6”
 High School (Andale)
 13’ 7”, 14’ 6”, 15’10”, 16’ 1 ½”
 College (KSU / WSU)
 16’ 7” / 17’ 1”
 Post-College (WSU)
 Didn’t Jump Higher
 Speed/ Pole Vault
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Private Lesson (WSU)
G.A. Wichita State (1 yr.)
Circle HS (2 yrs.)
 PV (Middle Sch. / HS)
Andale HS
 Sprints / Jumps
Wellington HS
 Head Coach / PV
Andale HS
 Sprints / Jumps
Andale Boys Records
Rank
Name
Height
Year
1
Dylan Schmidt
16’ 1 ½”
2001
2
Dustin Schmidt
16’ 1”
1999
3
Jim Gruenbacher
15’ 3”
1998
4
Jonah Ungles
15’ 0”
2012
5
Kyle Horsch
14’ 7”
2006
6
Jon Baalmann
14’ 6”
2004
7
Ben Horsch
14’ 6”
2008
8
Andrew Rowland
14’ 6”
2011
9
Ethan Meyer
14’ 4”
2013
10
Chris Bush
14’ 4”
1988
Notice the “1” increments (Raising the Bar- Earl Bell)
Andale Girls Records
Rank
Name
Height
Year
1
Emily Rowland
12’ 5”
2013
2
Jessi Irving
12’ 1”
2002
3
Abby Rowland
11’ 3”
2008
4
Lizzy Schmitz
11’0”
2008
5
Grace Shiach
11’ 0”
2012
6
Kim Friedrichs
11’ 0”
2011
7
Leah Eck
10’ 8”
2005
8
Olivia Orth
10’ 8”
2013
9
Angie Ramsey
10’ 7”
2004
10
Natalie Schauf
10’ 7”
2009
Top 3- Last 18 yrs. / Runner Up or State Champ 17 out of 18
Philosophy- Pole Vault

There are many important elements to
the pole vault. However if one thing
stands out, you MUST pole vault to be a
great pole vaulter.
I.
Other Key Elements:
Speed (Enhancement/Run-Up
Drills)
II.
Jumping Ability (Takeoff Drills)
III.
Basic Strength (Gymnastics)
*Training should be Balanced,
Structured, Flexible
Philosophy-Event/Athlete/Coach

The 3 Keys of the Pole Vault
Attitude (The will to get better)
-Get the kids that are dedicated
know matter talent level…lead
by example
1)
2) Time (Reps, Reps, Reps)
-We will always be doing
something…rain, snow, or
sunshine
3) Attention to Detail (Instruction/
understanding Instruction)….The
how and the why…

“Success is peace of mind which is
a direct result of self-satisfaction in
knowing you did your best to
become the best you are capable of
becoming.”
-John WoodenPersonal Record!!! (P.R. Prize!)
 League Champion
 Regional Champion
 State Champion
 All-American
Talent Identification/ Recruiting
Junior High
VJ / 3 Step Vertical
Coach Schmidt: Middle School Basketball Coach
Guys: 6 inches
Girls: 4 Inches
Planning- “Managers”
What Needs to Be Done EverydayManagers
Meeting Place: Same Place Every Day
(3:55)…Gym
Announcements, Motivation, Etc.
Event – (Pole Vault)
Warm-Up (Mod, Mod, High, Low)
Fundamentals
Drills
Technique Work
Running/Plyo’s (5:35pm) (Monday)
Core / Cool-Down
1.
2.
3.
Pole Vault
 Poles out to the Track
 Pits Uncovered
 Standards Up
 Water out of the box
 Marks on the track
 Takeoff’s Marked
 Rings Hung Up
 Camera Charged
Time / Plan
Pole Inventory
Camera
Planning –”Practice”

Order of Operation
1)
Technique
Speed
Speed Endurance
Strength
2)
3)
4)
12-13 weeks
8 meets
Regionals / State
You must be fresh to work
technique, if not you develop
poor habits.
Yuriy Sedykh- WR Holder Hammer
Throw


Threw, and Threw, and Threw
Technique, Technique,
Technique
Planning- Materials
Athletes Need to Bring
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Bookbag
Spikes
Implements
Jersey/shorts
Socks
Food
Water bottle
Vault notebook
Chalk
Tape
Towel
Tape measure
MP3 player
Clothes (HAT)
Poles
Workout Book
Coaches Need to Bring
1. Coaches Bag
2. Chalk
3. Stop watch
4. Wrist watch
5. Tape
6. Towel
7. Tools (Vice Grip, etc.)
8. Pole Tips
9. Tape measure
10. Clothes (HAT)
11. Water bottle
12. Spikes
13. Food
14. Vault Book (poles, flex, athletes marks,
etc.)
15. Workout Book
16. Radio/ Music
Planning Practice – “Being Gone” Champs (At Home)

Warm-Up (Continuous Pole Vault)
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Med Ball Throws x3
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Fundamentals
Hand Holding Drills- Base, 1 step, 2
step, slow motion, walking plants
3x10

Technique“Beat the tip” x football field (twice)
20/20 Drill x4
Long Pole Runs x10
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3x Max Handstands
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Warm-Down (Jog/Stretch)
Planning - Practice – “Indoor” (Mod, High, Low)
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Announcements/Mental Preparation

Warm-Up (Dynamic)

Med Ball Throws x4

Fundamentals
Hand Holding Drills- Base, 1 step, 2
step, slow motion, walking plants 3x10
Technique- (Pole Runs)
4-6 step x 10-14


Running/Plyo’s/Circuit

Fun/Gymnastics/Wrestling Room /
“Bar Clearance Drills”

Warm-Down (Stretch/Rope or Bands)

Film/Chalk Talk (Elite / HS Film )
6 Elements of Pole Vault Technique
1) Pole Carry
2) Run-Up
3) Plant
4) Take-off
5) Swing Up/Rock
Back
6) Bar Clearance
I have broken down the vault into 6 elements however it must be understood
and viewed as one continuous movement.
1) Pole Carry- Coaching Pts.
1.
The pole is supported
with the bone structure
2.
The back hand should full
grip the pole (this takes a
little time/wrist flexibility)
3.
The back hand will
control the drop of the
pole and the pole will
rotate on the front hand
4.
When carrying the pole
you should be as relaxed
as possible (arms,
shoulders, etc.)
1) Drills
Daily Fundamentals
3x10, repeat if coach is
busy!
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Home (Base)
1 step
2 step
Pole drops
4 step Slow motion
6 Step Walking
Plants
2) Run-Up- Coaching Pts.

KEY ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE RUN-UP, POLE DROP ARE:
 The Run-up starts with the very 1st step out of the back
 All phases leading into the takeoff have one goal, gain as
much controllable velocity as possible!
1.
2.
3.
4.
-pole is carried high with left wrist under pole and right hand
close to hip
-velocity increases to mid-mark (3 strides from take-off)
-once you reach mid-mark the pole drop is initiated
-also, when reaching mid-mark the stride length is constant (to
gain effective acceleration [20-20 strides]
it will also:
1.
-allow hips to be high, tall posture
2.
-allow pole drop and 20-20 strides to flow together “active”
3.
-pole is lowered by tilting bottom hand and rolling back hand,
while pole gains a horizontal position over track
2) Run-Up Drills
Drill #1 : Pole Runs
1.
Pole runs are something that can be done anywhere (indoors, cold weather, etc.)
2.
We will work on pole runs from (8, 10, 12, 14, 16 steps)
I feel it is important to be working your long approach almost everyday in some type of way.
Key elements
1.
-First Step: The run starts with the first step. When you step back to push off, you must
keep your hips tall and push out of the back. (Push)
2.
-Counting: is important for rhythm. Teach kids to always count down so they end on
the same number 5,4,3,2,1 (count left foot for right handed jumper)
3.
-Pole Carry: Carry the pole vertical at the beginning of the run and make sure you are
relaxed through the shoulders and upper body
4.
-Pole Drop: The pole drop must be “active.” Active means that the vaulter and the pole
act as one together. The pole must always be falling and the athlete must learn how to
time the pole drop where they are working with the pole instead of working against it.
When the vaulter strikes on his 3rd left (RH vaulter) there should be a dramatic dropping
of the pole. Almost allowing the pole to free fall.
3) Plant- Coaching Pts.
1.
The pole plant is a 4 step process
2.
A relatively narrowed grip is used (pull-up width)
3.
An early, controlled plant in which the left hand is kept high as the
fulcrum and the pole rotates as the right hand is drive high (right
hand controls drop)
4.
On the penultimate step the hands should be at the forehead
5.
The pole is driven high by the top hand
6.
The top hand is completely raised before the pole hits of back of
the box or take-off foot touches down
7.
The bottom arm allowed to flex immediately after takeoff so that the
bottom hand moved back above the head. Note that this was not a
passive flexing of the left arm but rather a dynamic controlled
flexion.
8.
Emphasize the importance of not driving the left arm into the pole at
takeoff but rather being dynamic with the arm and allowing the
chest through the shoulders and swing around the top hand.
3) Plant Drills
“Sand Plant Drills”
1)
2 steps - “Hands at forehead”
1)
4 steps - “Hands at Hips”
2)
6 steps – “Hands at Hips” more speed
Coaching Points:
1)
Takeoff before the pole hits the sand
(back of the box)
2)
Stay behind the pole (Hips), Move the
chest into the pole keeping
3)
Maximize pole to ground angle (plant
the pole tall)
4) Takeoff- Coaching Pts.
1.
The pole/ground angle is maximized
2.
The energy of the run-up must be “hit” or
transmitted to the pole by a very strong and tall top
arm, with a slight forward angle
3.
The heel of the opposite foot is driven under the butt
4.
The body is rigid and “hard” from the top hand
through the shoulders, chest, back, butt and leg
5.
Where the left hand does not push prematurely
against the pole
6.
Where the plant is completed before the pole hits
the back of the box
7.
Where the vaulter jumps or springs off of the ground
before the pole strikes the back of the box. Nothing
is more important in all of the pole vault then this
concept!
Bubka: “In pole vaulting the
crucial factor is how to
transfer energy to the pole,
through the complete body
of the vaulter; the arms,
shoulders, hips, back and
legs. But if the pole begins
to bend while the vaulter is
yet on the ground, it is
impossible to transfer the
energy; all the energy is lost
and goes to the box.”
4) Takeoff Drills
Drills:
1.
2.
3.
6 Step Straight Pole
Straight Pole Jumping
Short Run
Coaching Points:
1.
Vaulter must takeoff before the pole hits
the back of the box
2.
The pole to ground angle is maximized
3.
The pole drop is “active” and the run is
“tall” throughout
5) Swing Up/ Rock Back- Coaching Pts.
Coaching Pts.
1.
After takeoff continue to drive the take off leg
back to create a slight flexion at the knee, if
enables the athlete to begin a long accelerating
swing of the leg similar to a powerful soccer kick.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In an attempt to better understand the action
of the takeoff leg it should be viewed as a
“whip” rather then a swing.
The energy of the whip is carried on into the
inversion. The vaulter should roll the pelvis
upward with the left leg staying as straight
as possible.
In this way they move into a position of
“covering” the pole
As soon as this movement is completed the
vaulter drops the shoulders and then drives
the hips vertically upwards.
Mistakes
1.
The athlete attempts to move
into the vertical position too
soon after take off.
2.
The take off is “flat” and
towards the pad instead of up
through the pole.
3.
The vaulter is gripping too high
in relation to the quality of their
run, plant and takeoff.
4.
The vaulter is using a pole
which is either too soft or too
stiff.
5) Swing Up/ Rock Back Drills
“Long Swing DriLL”
-3 step Run
-Small pole
The vaulter is off the ground
before the pole hits the back of
the box
2. There is constant pressure on
the pole throughout the vault
pressure is “out and away”
3. The trail leg “whips” through as
the vaulter moves into position
to cover the pole
1.
6) Bar Clearance- Coaching Pts.
Coaching Points:
1.
Relax, Relax, Relax
2.
Turn thumbs down, elbows out to hollow out the
chest
3.
Keep head down coming off the pole!
6) Bar Clearance-Drills
“Back roLL-UpS”
Coaching Points:
1.
Relax, Relax, Relax
2.
Turn thumbs down, elbows out to hollow out the
chest
3.
Keep head down coming off the pole!
Weekly Practice Overview
Practice
Pole Vault Practice
Monday (Neuro)
Monday (Neuro)
Pole Runs
Drills/ Long or Short Run
Sprint Workout (Accels/ Flys)
Tuesday
Tuesday
Circuit/ Tempo Runs
Wednesday (Neuro)
Short Run
Wednesday (Neuro)
Sprint Workout (after)
Thursday
Long Run (Big Jump Day)
Thursday
Circuit/ Tempo Runs/Pre -Meet
Pre-Meet: Long Run
(Opening Bar)
Friday (Neuro)
Sprint Workout/ Meet
Friday (Neuro)
Meet
Saturday
Off / Film
Saturday
Off / Film
Sunday
Off/ Film
Sunday
Long ,Short Run, Drills
Pole Vault Planning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Short Run Routine
Long Run Routine
Daily Fundamentals (Holding Pole)
Sand Plants (Takeoff/Plant)
Bar Drills (Swing/Rock Back)
Long Swing (Swing/Rock Back)
Fresno’s / Pop-Ups (Takeoff)
Short Runs (Plant)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Daily Fundamentals (Holding Pole)
Approaches (Run-Up)
Fresno’s / Pop-Ups (Takeoff)
Long Run
Thanks!