Athletic Training

114 ATHLETIC TRAINING lots of practice, and the higher the vault the more difficult it is to get it right. If the athlete is having trouble with this it is caused by one of two things: either the slide of the hand is not made quickly enough or the dis– tance from the point where the foot strikes the ground has not been properly determined. The point where the slide is made varies. Some vaulters begin quicker than others. As a rule, it will be found, assuming that the jumper tak~s off from the left foot, that the time to make the slide is just as the pole is raised and the right foot is striking the ground for the last time. Then the hand is lifted upward quickly, gripping the pole as hard as possible to overcome the jolt caused by the pole · striking the ground. The take-off foot' should be nearly in line with the point where the pole strikes. This is something which the beginner should take great pains to master. The beginner should be cautioned not to get the legs over the bar too quickly. The legs· cannot be gotten over the bar until the pole reaches it; therefore the vaulter should not pull in too much of a hurry .or he will stop the pole on the way up. Care should