Selecting a vaulting pole involves considering various factors such as bodyweight, handhold, takeoff speed and the direction of takeoff of the vaulter.

Poles are sold by the loading of the bodyweight and the handhold.  The normal pattern is to use a pole loaded to your bodyweight or a little higher, but inexperienced vaulters may have difficulty in using a pole this strength and gaining a reasonable bend.  Another factor is with ladies who, if they use a man's pole may well need to choose a pole below their bodyweight.  There are ladies vaulting poles available - designed for ladies use!

Poles are designed to be held with the top hand at about 25cm from the top of the pole.  Holding the pole higher could result in an overloaded pole and breakage!  They will then bend through 90` (i.e. bottom of pole vertical and the top horizontal when viewed from the side).  If the bend is greater than this then the pole is being overloaded and may break.  The effect of overloading on the pole is that the vaulter will find themselves too far in the landing area, and under the bar, before the pole begins to recoil (assuming it has not broken).  Thus the vaulter will find themselves coming up under the crossbar even with  the stands back to the fullest extent.

If a vaulter has a powerful run or takeoff, they may well overload a pole rated at their bodyweight and should move up the range.  They will experience recoil delay if the pole is too soft.  Also bear in mind that poles soften with age, some more than others!

As a rough guide a vaulter weighing 140lbs holding at 4m should use a 4.25/140 pole or slightly stiffer.  Also as a rough guide the handhold may be moved up or down 25cm with the effect of changing the loading by 10lbs.  Thus a 4.25/140 will usually take 150lbs at 3.75cm but the vaulter should be careful not to drive in too hard, especially at heavier loads.

For Guidance

The handgrip is the actual length along the pole from the bottom to the top hand of the vaulter.

Changing lengths of poles can cause problems but roughly 4.25/150+5lbs=4.40/150.  Experience coaching many vaulters has shown me that it is risky trying to save money by making one big jump at a time.  The stronger pole can often cause a vaulter (who has needed to restrict his takeoff power on a soft pole) to finish up is a heap in the box and to lose confidence!  Make use of our unique trade-in scheme, but bear in mind a young growing vaulter who is progressing well may well move through poles at a fast rate!

The "Conquest" pole

The "conquest" pole is a thinner walled pole but it does not have a high compression glass cloth construction which means that it is not so durable.   It is both light and inexpensive and has been designed specifically to teach young beginners in club and school.

Flex ratings for poles are fine tuning to a body weight.  They rougly correspond to soft (-2lb), medium, stiff (+2lb), so a soft 150 is approximatley 148.   Really consideration of flex ratings is only a matter of concern to a skilled vaulter when changing pole.  Flex ratings of poles can be obtained but some makers of poles do not publish them and actively discourage their use.  To specify a flex is likely to delay the supply whilst a pole is obtained from the makers (up to 3 months).

So, clubs and schools with vaulters should really budget to obtain a bank of poles over a period of time.  Progress of the vaulters will be better and breakage of the poles less likely if a vaulter is able to change to a stronger pole before he breaks the only pole the club possess!

If you require advice about poles then contact me, (I am a Level 4 UKA PV coach).

(Dr) A.T.Neuff