Pole Too Short. What Next?

Not at all what I thought this thread was going to be about, but I guess get another pole.

Have your coach borrow or rent a longer pole.

If you can handle the whole pole, yeah see if you can get your hands on a bigger pole. Get the biggest pole you can handle and handle safely of course.

Unfortunately, this site is not LetsPoleVault.com. Your coach should have a few catalogs of T&F equipment suppliers that he orders vault poles from, and at the least help you identify a vault pole that is appropriate for your vault height and weight. If there isn't money in the team budget to make a purchase, then you may have to ask your parents for help. Good luck.

Thank you so much for the advice.

Are you flexing the pole at all? If not, you could possibly move o a 12 115 or 12 110 pole.

Or if you're finding the 11-6 120 pole is too soft, move to a 11-6 130, then a 12 130 after that.

Ignorant question; but would a weight belt help for pole flexibility?

Ignorant wrote:

Ignorant question; but would a weight belt help for pole flexibility?

Help? No. It would potentially cause the pole to be softer, but part of what flexes the pole is technique, and the extra weight doesnt help with that. It would be harder to run, harder to swing, etc. Extra weight wouldn't be beneficial in pole vault.

Depends on how high you are vaulting and if you are getting good flex. An 11'6" should be good to at least 11" - higher with solid form. I used to use a pole that was 20 lbs under my weight until my form got better as the stiffer poles tend not to bend at lower heights and were a bit harder to control.

Good luck! It is a fun event.