TCP; CCC Technique of the Week

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, General Associate Editor
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Volume 46, Issue 19
Sports

Each week The Clackamas Print features a step by step breakdown of techniques from different sports. Players and coaches give their experienced advice and explain the developmental process of building competitive tools.

This week head track and field coach Keoni McHone gave insight into some specific pole vault drills. Freshman pole vaulter Chase Davis provied an example of vaulting technique.

“A lot of it is swinging activities, rotating from the hands, a whole body swing like gymnastic rings or high bar. They do a lot of what’s called ‘stiff pole’ drills, when they takeoff and the pole bends.

They work with the pole straight, swing up right where legs don’t swing underneath, so they takeoff, start and stop the swing, the pole flexes to the outside and body swings straight through the hole.

A mistake would be swinging to the outside. Takeoff leg should hit the pole to stop the legs.”

McHone described another possible mistake:

“Helicopter swings around pole or swings off to the side. They are making sure they are straight on takeoff.”

McHone explained another drill that helps prevent mistakes:

“Inversion, going upside down, the whole body goes straight up and down then they land on their back, getting them use to swinging fast, they want to swing fast to keep pressure on the poles and it gets them inverted. Also helps them to be completely comfortable with being completely upside down.”