1. Pole Vault- Made Simple
Dylan Schmidt
Andale High School

2. Overview Background / Records Philosophy
Talent Identification/ Recruiting
Planning (Pre-Season)
6 Elements of Pole Vault / Drills
Practice Structure
Questions/Video

3. 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
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

4. Notice the “1” increments (Raising the Bar- Earl Bell)
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
2008 8
Andrew Rowland
2011 9
Ethan Meyer
14’ 4”
2013 10
Chris Bush
1988
Notice the “1” increments (Raising the Bar- Earl Bell)

5. Andale Girls Records Rank Name Height Year 1 Emily Rowland 12’ 5” 2013
Jessi Irving
12’ 1”
2002 3
Abby Rowland
11’ 3”
2008 4
Lizzy Schmitz
11’0” 5
Grace Shiach
11’ 0”
2012 6
Kim Friedrichs
2011 7
Leah Eck
10’ 8”
2005 8
Olivia Orth 9
Angie Ramsey
10’ 7”
2004 10
Natalie Schauf
2009
Top 3- Last 18 yrs. / Runner Up or State Champ 17 out of 18

6. 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.
Other Key Elements:
Speed (Enhancement/Run-Up Drills)
Jumping Ability (Takeoff Drills)
Basic Strength (Gymnastics)
*Training should be Balanced, Structured, Flexible

7. Philosophy-Event/Athlete/Coach
“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 Wooden-
Personal Record!!! (P.R. Prize!)
League Champion
Regional Champion
State Champion
All-American
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
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…

8. Talent Identification/ Recruiting
Junior High
VJ / 3 Step Vertical
Coach Schmidt: Middle School Basketball Coach
Guys: 6 inches
Girls: 4 Inches

9. Meeting Place: Same Place Every Day
Planning- “Managers”
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
What Needs to Be Done Everyday-Managers
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
3 Pre-Season Musts
Time / Plan
Pole Inventory
Camera

10. Planning –”Practice”
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
Order of Operation
Technique
Speed
Speed Endurance
Strength
12-13 weeks
8 meets
Regionals / State

11. Planning- Materials Athletes Need to Bring 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

12. Planning Practice – “Being Gone” Champs (At Home)
Warm-Up (Continuous Pole Vault)
Med Ball Throws x3
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
3x Max Handstands
Warm-Down (Jog/Stretch)

13. Planning - Practice – “Indoor” (Mod, High, Low)
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 )

14. 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.

15. 1) Pole Carry- Coaching Pts.
The pole is supported with the bone structure
The back hand should full grip the pole (this takes a little time/wrist flexibility)
The back hand will control the drop of the pole and the pole will rotate on the front hand
When carrying the pole you should be as relaxed as possible (arms, shoulders, etc.)

16. Video 1) Drills Daily Fundamentals 3x10, repeat if coach is busy!
Home (Base)
1 step
2 step
Pole drops
4 step Slow motion
6 Step Walking Plants
Video

17. 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!
-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:
-allow hips to be high, tall posture
-allow pole drop and strides to flow together “active”
-pole is lowered by tilting bottom hand and rolling back hand, while pole gains a horizontal position over track

18. Video 2) Run-Up Drills Drill #1 : Pole Runs
Pole runs are something that can be done anywhere (indoors, cold weather, etc.)
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
-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)
-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)
-Pole Carry: Carry the pole vertical at the beginning of the run and make sure you are relaxed through the shoulders and upper body
-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.
Video

19. 3) Plant- Coaching Pts. The pole plant is a 4 step process
A relatively narrowed grip is used (pull-up width)
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)
On the penultimate step the hands should be at the forehead
The pole is driven high by the top hand
The top hand is completely raised before the pole hits of back of the box or take-off foot touches down
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.
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.

20. Video 3) Plant Drills “Sand Plant Drills”
2 steps - “Hands at forehead”
4 steps - “Hands at Hips”
6 steps – “Hands at Hips” more speed
Coaching Points:
Takeoff before the pole hits the sand (back of the box)
Stay behind the pole (Hips), Move the chest into the pole keeping
Maximize pole to ground angle (plant the pole tall)
Video

21. 4) Takeoff- Coaching Pts.
The pole/ground angle is maximized
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
The heel of the opposite foot is driven under the butt
The body is rigid and “hard” from the top hand through the shoulders, chest, back, butt and leg
Where the left hand does not push prematurely against the pole
Where the plant is completed before the pole hits the back of the box
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.”

22. Video 4) Takeoff Drills Drills: 6 Step Straight Pole
Straight Pole Jumping
Short Run
Coaching Points:
Vaulter must takeoff before the pole hits the back of the box
The pole to ground angle is maximized
The pole drop is “active” and the run is “tall” throughout
Video

23. 5) Swing Up/ Rock Back- Coaching Pts.
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.
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
The athlete attempts to move into the vertical position too soon after take off.
The take off is “flat” and towards the pad instead of up through the pole.
The vaulter is gripping too high in relation to the quality of their run, plant and takeoff.
The vaulter is using a pole which is either too soft or too stiff.

24. 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
There is constant pressure on the pole throughout the vault pressure is “out and away”
The trail leg “whips” through as the vaulter moves into position to cover the pole
Video

25. 6) Bar Clearance- Coaching Pts.
Coaching Points:
Relax, Relax, Relax
Turn thumbs down, elbows out to hollow out the chest
Keep head down coming off the pole!

26. 6) Bar Clearance-Drills
“Back roll-Ups”
Coaching Points:
Relax, Relax, Relax
Turn thumbs down, elbows out to hollow out the chest
Keep head down coming off the pole!
Video

27. Weekly Practice Overview
Pole Vault Practice
Monday (Neuro)
Pole Runs
Drills/ Long or Short Run
Tuesday
Short Run
Wednesday (Neuro)
Long Run (Big Jump Day)
Thursday
Pre-Meet: Long Run
(Opening Bar)
Friday (Neuro)
Meet
Saturday
Off / Film
Sunday
Long ,Short Run, Drills
Monday (Neuro)
Sprint Workout (Accels/ Flys)
Tuesday
Circuit/ Tempo Runs
Wednesday (Neuro)
Sprint Workout (after)
Thursday
Circuit/ Tempo Runs/Pre -Meet
Friday (Neuro)
Sprint Workout/ Meet
Saturday
Off / Film
Sunday
Off/ Film

28. Video Pole Vault Planning 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)
Daily Fundamentals (Holding Pole)
Approaches (Run-Up)
Fresno’s / Pop-Ups (Takeoff)
Long Run
Video

29. Thanks! Dylan Schmidt Andale High School Dylan.schmidt@usd267.com