The National Safety Chair, the rules and concepts expressed in
this course of instruction are intended to preserve and promote the sound traditions
of the sport of pole vaulting and the safety of its participants. However, there
is an inherent risk of major or minor injury from participation in pole vaulting
as in any sports activity. Every coach, parent and official using the rules
and concepts expressed within this program is responsible for prudent judgment
with respect to each practice, contest, athlete and facility. In addition, each
athlete is responsible for exercising caution and good sportsmanship in his
or her participation.
The rules and information within this program should be interpreted and applied
to the sport of pole vaulting so as to make prudent and reasonable decisions
for safe and efficient participation.
Course of Instruction
This course of pole vault education is designed and formatted so the beginning
coach, parent and vaulter can efficiently and economically learn the process
of pole vaulting with a minimum of time investment.
The course of instruction is divided into the following sections, each section
is followed by a battery of test questions that pertain specifically to that
section. To pass a section, the student must achieve a minimum score of 80%
correct. All testing portions are designed to be taken open book.
Section 1: National HS Federation PV rules
New rules
Definitions
General rules
Penalties
Facilities & Equipment
Scoring
PV contest administration
Points of Emphasis
National HS rules Test (10 questions open Book)
Section 2: Pole Vault Safety
Creating a low-risk pole vault environment
Standards (uprights)
Planting box
Helmets
Weather considerations
Hard Surfaces
Facilities care and up-keep
Basic skills and progressions
Basic Adjustments for consistency
Basic concepts pole vaulting
National PV Safety Test (10 questions open book)
Section 3: Energy Equation and PLZ
The Energy Equation in Pole Vaulting
Setting up the "Preferred Landing zone" (PLZ)
The PLZ as a coaching tool
Adjustments
Blowing through
Landing short
Side landings
Basics of the PV energy equation
Potential energy
Resistance
Comparative stiffness chart
Pole speed
Pole bend
Grip height
Vertical pole
Take-off angle
Energy equation and PLZ Test (10 questions open book)
Section 4: Beginning Pole Vaulting Progressions
Grass Vaulting
Selecting the beginning grip
Short run non-bending progressions
Stay downs
Swing to L
Swing and shoot turn
Selecting the correct beginning pole and grip for bending
Increasing run length and grip heights
Beginning Pole Vaulting Progressions Test (10 questions open Book)
Basic certification requirements
To pass the testing portion of the curriculum the applicant must pass each individual
section with a minimum grade of 80%. Each section of the test can be taken as
many times as necessary. Each section of the examination is scored independently,
so that once a section is passed, the applicant may proceed to the next section.
The tests will be graded automatically and a passing or failing grade given
immediately after the "Grade it" button is pushed.
