Pole vault is often described as a battle between vaulter and bar. But in competition, it becomes something more layered: a game of nerves, timing, and tactics.

Every phase of the approach matters, but some parts matter more. The best coaches and vaulters don’t just watch the takeoff or the bar clearance—they track what’s happening before the jump even begins.

Most of the time, it’s not the pole vault itself that triggers the block. It’s everything else.

There will be a last time you run down the runway. A last jump. A last cheer from your teammates. You may not know when it is—but it will come.

Pole vaulting is unpredictable, humbling, and wildly technical. Your child will miss far more bars than they clear.

You can have all the best drills, equipment, and poles in the world, but none of it matters without good coaching.

Not the bend of the pole, nor the shape of the athlete’s body in flight, but the invisible path traced by the athlete’s center of mass (CoM). That path, at its simplest, is a parabola. At its most complex, it’s a differential equation.

Many vaulters fly blind. After takeoff and swing, they rotate upside down, back to the bar, with no idea where they are in space until it’s too late. They hope for a clean clearance—but hope is not a strategy.

Of all the phases in the pole vault, the swing is perhaps the most technically demanding—and the most misunderstood.

In pole vaulting, some of the most explosive movements occur without conscious thought. The stretch reflex, also known as the myotatic reflex, is a prime example of this phenomenon.

The pole plant is more than a technical detail—it is the foundation of the entire vault. Athletes who master it reduce their risk of injury, maintain body control under pressure, and dramatically increase their consistency and competitive potential—both literally in terms of height and figuratively on the podium.

The Art of Practice is the quiet force behind every real success. It’s the commitment to showing up, refining small details, and pushing through the plateaus when progress feels invisible.

A well-trained pole vaulter must develop an internal “radar” to judge their steps with near-perfect accuracy, ensuring they launch off the ground with optimal posture, balance, and timing.

In pole vaulting, repeatedly taking off too close to the box can become dangerous and detrimental. Here is a method to address the issue.

Runway length matters most during competition, as you are trying to reach your maximum velocity at launch.

Having a training program designed by an expert coach based on macrocycles and microcycles is essential for track and field athletes.

Recruiting for pole vaulting at the collegiate level can vary depending on the university. However, generally speaking, the following steps can be helpful for athletes who are interested in being recruited for pole vaulting:

As a coach, there are several ways athletes can optimize their training. Here are some general tips on how to manage yours effectively.

Animation shows outstanding results in pole vault - mostly world records but also season best performances by athlete around the World.

Many people think that a free takeoff means an athlete's foot leaves the ground before their pole strikes the back of the box. Nope.