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

2. PROGRESSIVELY Stiffer
Slight Taper of Mandrel Toward Top
Pole Construction
Mandrel
First Wrap
Top
Second Wrap
Bottom
Fiberglass:
“E” Type or
“S” Type
Third Wrap
Forth
Wrap
“Sail Piece”
PROGRESSIVELY Softer
MAXIMUM STIFFNESS
PROGRESSIVELY Stiffer

3. UCS Pole Vault Factory Carson City, NV

4. UCS Pole Vault Factory Carson City, NV

5. UCS Pole Vault Factory Carson City, NV

6. UCS Pole Vault Factory Carson City, NV
UCS Jan. Pole Stock 
Record Day:
70 Poles Made
Average: 50-70/day
Summer: 0 in Afternoon

7. UCS Pole Vault Factory Pole Stock in January

8. Reno Pole Vault Summit http://www.polevaultsummit.com/pole-vault/

9. Reno Pole Vault Summit http://www.polevaultsummit.com/pole-vault/

10. Bend Configuration Cross Section Of Most Poles
Before load force is added.
After load force is added.

11. Pole Grip Zones
12” 6”
Pole Top (14’ 1.5”)
Pole Top (15’ 1.5”)
12” 6”

12. Relative Grip Heights 12’ 7.5” 13’ 7.5” Top of Grip Zone
Pole Top (14’ 1.5”)
Pole Top (15’ 1.5”)
Bottom of
Grip Zone
13’ 7.5”
14’ 7.5”

13. Grip Vs. Stiffness Movement of top hand:
1” movement = Approximately 1.5 lbs.
6” movement = Approximately 9-10 lbs.
1’ movement = Approximately lbs.
Movement of top handgrip upward:
Softens the effect of the flex of the pole.
Movement of the handgrip downward:
Stiffens the effect of the flex of the pole.

14. Relative Stiffness 14’ 1.5” Pole 15’ 1.5” Pole 150 lbs. 155 lbs.

15. Pole Inscription

16. 150 LBS. Pole Inscription 430/68 14’ - 150 lbs. 98 - 20.5 - 2 - 23 T O

17. Pole Inscription MODEL
430/68 T O P
150 LBS.
Set
Pt.
Length in cm
Model No.
Weight in Kg.

18. 150 LBS. Pole Inscription SIZE T 14’ - 150 lbs. O P Length Weight
In Pounds

19. Pole Inscription MANUFACTURING DATES & FLEX
150 LBS.
Manufacturing Dates: Year Month Day

20. Flex Determination Deflection Force Deflection in cm = flex number 12”
Pole
50 lbs.
Deflection in cm = flex number
12”
12”
.2 cm = Approximately 1 lbs.
with pole of 20.0 flex.
.1 cm = Approximately 1 lbs.
with poles of 12.5 flex.

21. How to compare poles
As the flex number decreases the pole becomes stiffer if the poles are of the same length.
Flex numbers can only be compared between poles of the same length.
Example: 13’1.5” Flex: 18.2 vs. 13’1.5”Flex of 19.2
The poles must be of the same brand.
The 19.2 pole bent 1.0 cm further than the 18.2 pole with the same load energy therefore it is 5 pounds softer.

22. Pole Rating VAULTER SPEED VAULTER REACH HEIGHT
VAULTER TECHNIQUE PROFICIENCY
VAULTER’S INERTIA & KINETIC ENERGY: =

23. The End