PaceSetter Book

Jumping Activities 5

WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

5.2.3.3 Pole Vault Practices Crossing the Moat

Young athletes can be grouped into four, six or eight teams around a sandpit with two, three or four teams on one side of the pit and two, three or four teams on the other side. Using small wooden poles (approximately 140–180 centimetres), the young athletes should attempt to swing to the other side and then hand the pole to the opposite team member. Right-handed vaulters will take-off with their left foot and swing on the right hand side of the pole. To encourage a more definite swing, the young athletes should be encouraged to plant their pole in the sandpit nearer to the opposite team. As the young athletes become more proficient, they should be encouraged to take several steps before ‘planting’ the pole, but always ensuring other team members are situated further away. This will encourage a little speed into the vault and after a short period of time they will be clearing the width of the pit and therefore, for safety reasons, the activity should be changed to utilise the length of the pit. This activity can also be used to teach landing by progressing from striding out to striding out with a twist and twisting to land two-legged facing the launch direction. The young athletes should now be ready to practise crossing a bar and planting their poles in a specified place. A flexible elastic crossbar can be placed across the width of the sandpit and a small box should be dug to allow for the pole plant. It is important to note that the back part of the box should be dug so it is greater than 90 degrees and therefore the young athlete is not jammed halfway through the jump. The practice should be organised such that only one athlete is attempting to vault at any one time. They must attempt to plant their pole in the box and swing over the elastic crossbar. When the young athletes are comfortable with the practice, the elastic crossbar can be raised by 5–10 centimetres at a time commencing at 25 centimetres. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

81