Athletics of To-Day 1929

The Pole Vault 239 The reader will see from Fig. 23 that the hand-shift is made as the left foot completes its last stride before the right foot takes off, i.e., makes its spring. In point of fact three things happen as the left leg completes its last stride. Still assuming the man is going to jump from the right foot, then, as the left leg makes its last stride, the pole point is pushed forward into the slideway with an under-arm swing, the left hand is pushed forward and up, and as the shaft rises the right hand slides up it until it touches the left hand which has the higher hold. The pushing forward and up of pole shaft and left hand, the sliding up, or "shift " of the right hand up the pole shaft, and the pushing forward of the pole point into the slideway at completion of the final left leg stride are all seen in the picture, No. r, Plate 34· It will be noted that the right leg is coming through for the take-off, while the young athlete has contrived a good ((crouch'' preparatory to the spring. As the pole point strikes the end of the slideway the right heel is placed hard down on the take-off mark and the left foot swings forward ig. 25, p. 241. The two impacts- Fia. 2 •· pole point with end of slideway, and foot with ground-must be simultaneous and forcible. Note that the take-off spot is about a foot in rear of an imaginary plumb-line dropped from the hand-hold and that the arms are at full stretch above the head. rom the right heel the body rises right up on to the toes, and the right leg is fully straightened in a powerful upward drive. The left arm and right forearm are now parallel to the pole which is close to the vaulter's left shoulder and cheek. The left knee at once picks up, but the right leg is allowed to hang until both legs are raised towards the bar with a strong hip bend. The first action off the ground, of a right foot vaulter, is well shown in the picture, No. 2, Plate 34·