Athletes in Action

141 THE POLE V ULT. THE WI G-OVER EXTRA pICTURE TnE extra picture on the opposite page shows the pendulum-swing-over method, u ed in the single- action ault, even more clearly than does ig. 8 of Charles Hoff. In ju tification of this meth d it may be pointed out that harles Hoff, who standardised it, vaulted within a fraction of an inch f 14ft., and that ·. R. Webster seen opposite when he fully master d the meth d at the age of fifteen impr ved in the space of one season from 9 ft. to ro ft. ins. he picture opposite empha ises the facts that the athlete must not be afraid to let his leg swing up to extreme foot- ele ation, that he mu t when the feet reach the high- point in their swing have th pole perfectly upright and the shaft drawn cl se int the b dy and that the h ad must be bent back a little on the neck with the eyes lo king straight d wn int the slide-way. It is obvi us that the vaulter can, from the positi n shown, use his arms for a very strong lift, to rai e his body well over the bar. ote that Webster takes off from the right foot, whereas off takes off from the left foot, which accounts for the fact that they are seen on opposite sides of their poles. Incidentally, the spectator in the dark suit standing next t the t ps with his left hand in his tr user pocket, is th vcritabl •ath r of Pole aulting Hu h H. Baxtcr, f rm r W rld R cord Iloldcr and merican hampi n fr m I 3 t I 6. It i to l\1r. Ba 'tcr that this book is very affectionately d dicatcd.