Modern Vaulting

Having chosen a pole to suit the competitor's ability (speed, technique, confidence), the height of the bar and the prevailing conditions (wind direction, temperature) a right-handed vaulter would place the right hand, with an undergrip, within 10 to 2 inches of the top end of the pole, the left hand, with an over-grip, being from 14 to 30 inches (350 to 750 mm) below the right. In major competitions such as the Olympic Games, each competitor will bring as many as 10 different poles to the competition. Professional or collegiate males will use carbon poles between 14 to 18 feet long.

To complete a vault, competitors sprint towards the bar and "plant" one end of the pole in a small hole up to 800 mm in front of the mattress and bar, using the kinetic energy gained in their sprint to cause the pole to bend as they pivot up off the ground. (The poles used vary significantly in length and competitors choose different ones depending on their own form and the weather conditions.) As the pole angles towards the vertical, it springs back straight, releasing its stored energy to drive the vaulter higher. As they near the bar, vaulters throw their legs forward, and pushing with shoulders and arms, clear it, letting the pole fall backwards. Competitors, by this time, push off from the pole and attempt to roll over the bar with the abdomen facing down, landing face up on a soft foam mat. In Britain at one time, the vaulter was allowed to climb the pole when at the perpendicular. Tom Ray, of Ulverston in Lancashire, who was champion of the world in 1887, was able to gain several feet in this manner. The other equipment and rules for the competition are virtually identical to the high jump. Unlike high jump however, the athlete in the vault has the ability to select the horizontal position of the bar before each jump and can place it anywhere from -40cm to +80cm relative to the box. If the pole used by the athlete dislodges the bar from the uprights a foul attempt is ruled, even if the athletes themselves have cleared the height. However if the pole breaks during the excecution of a vault, the competitior will be allowed another attempt ... assuming they are not injured.

The pole vault is exciting to watch because of the extreme heights reached by competitors, as well as the inherent danger of the activity, two elements which combine to make the event popular with spectators.