Pole Vault Physics By: Mark Hannay B.S., M.S. Regional Chairman: USA Track & Field’s National & Olympic Pole Vault Development Committee National Chairman: USA Pole Vault Education Initiative

“ACCEPT FAILURE AS PART OF THE PROCESS!”

Statements Commonly Heard Around Pole Vaulters: But coach, “I like to do it this way!” & “That isn’t the way “The Champ” does it.”

Joe Vaulter “Remember, If ye practice and vault in harmony with Nature’s Physical Laws, ye will break records, not limbs, and ye will live to vault another day.” Coach Hannay: Circa 1990

Sally Vaulter “Girls too, must practice & vault in harmony with Nature’s Physical Laws, or they too will break limbs not records, and may not live to vault another day.” Coach Wahl: Circa 1998

Newton, Pole Vault, & Motion Based on the Newton’s Laws of Motion, most actions that occur in the pole vault can be explained and understood. Furthermore, most corrections of vaulting errors lie within the Law’s of Motion. Finally, Sir Isaac Newton would have been a GREAT pole vault coach.

Newton’s First Law A body in motion will continue in motion in a straight line, as long as it is not acted upon by an additional force. (Law of Inertia)

Newton’s Second Law Force equals mass times acceleration.

Newton’s Third Law To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Pole Vault Energy Summary Approach Velocity = Kinetic Energy of Vaulter The Run

Bottom End Conversion CONVERSION MECHANISMS 1) Takeoff Angle 2) Takeoff Point Energy Conversion 3) Plant Angle Run

Energy Storage Pole Rotation Speed Elastic Energy (Bend) Conversion Vaulter Rotation Speed Run

Top End Conversion CONVERSION MECHANISMS Summation of Forces: Fly-away Speed 1) Invert & Pole Rotation Energy Conversion 2) Pole Extension Pole Rotation 3) Pull & Push Pole Bend Energy Conversion Vaulter Rotation Run

Takeoff Point The “takeoff point” for a vaulter is a point on the runway directly under the top hand grasping the vaulting pole.

Note that the takeoff foot is inside of a perpendicular line drawn from the top hand to the ground. This is considered to be an “inside takeoff”. Runway Takeoff Point

Note that the pole is already slightly bent while the vaulter’s takeoff foot is still in contact with the ground indicating that the pole tip is in contact with the back of the box. This is also considered to be an inside takeoff when the pole is bent and the vaulter is in contact with the ground. Runway Takeoff Point

Note that the vaulter’s top arm, bottom arm, waist, and takeoff leg are not completely extended. Also, the lead knee has not reached its final position. This is also an indication of an inside takeoff. Actual Takeoff Point Ideal Takeoff Point

Takeoff foot is inside of a perpendicular line drawn from the top hand to the ground. Pole is already slightly bent while the vaulter’s takeoff foot is still in contact with the ground. Vaulter’s top arm, bottom arm, waist, and takeoff leg are not completely extended. Also, the lead knee has not reached its final position. Runway Takeoff Point

Note that the vaulter’s top arm, bottom arm, waist, and takeoff leg are not completely extended. Also, the lead knee has not reached its final position. This is also an indication of an inside takeoff. Runway Takeoff Point

Direction of Center of Gravity and Takeoff Path Direction of Hips Direction of Hips Direction of Center of Gravity and Takeoff Path

What Effects the Depth and Height of a Vault? Grip Height: The height on the vaulting pole that the vaulter places their top hand. Pole Rotation: The angular motion of the vaulting pole from the planting position to the point that the pole stops rotating toward the landing mat.

The point which a vaulter places his top hand will determine the speed which the pole rotates to vertical.

High Grip: More difficult to get pole to rotate to vertical. Penetration into landing mat is minimized. Pole becomes less stiff. (~1.5 lbs. per Inch) Low Grip: Less difficult to get pole to rotate to vertical. Penetration into landing mat is increased. Pole becomes more stiff. (~1.5 lbs. per Inch)

As grip heights increase: 1) The pole must move through a larger distance to become vertical. 2) The velocity that the pole rotates to vertical (Pole Speed) decreases. 3) The vaulter’s ideal takeoff angle is more difficult to achieve. 4) Penetration over the landing area becomes more important as the takeoff point moves further outward. 4) The need to “Follow-Through” and penetrate increases. 5) The pole/takeoff path angle decreases making the takeoff angle more difficult. 6) The pole becomes less stiff at ~1.5#/inch

The shoulders forward movement is not restricted. A more narrow grip allows the planting action to be above the head and allow the shoulders to move forward unrestricted. The shoulders forward movement is not restricted. Narrower Grip

Force created by the pole and the forward motion of the body. Resistance of the bottom arm against the bending pole. The shoulders forward movement is restricted. Wide Grip

Shallow Box - Deep Box (& Grip Height) Low Angle High Angle

Sergi Bubka (2003) Before the fiberglass pole, pole vaulters put their focus on moving the pole. Then when the flexible pole appeared, many people put their focus on bending the pole. The pole [should] bend as a result of the speed and mass of the jumper; therefore it is important to concentrate more on moving the pole towards the plane of the bar, rather than being aware of bending it.

Vitaly Petrov Sergi Bubka’s Coach Always concentrate on moving the pole vaulting pole!

Pole Vault Physics THE END