Pole Vaulting
Welcome to Vault Techniques, the internet's number one resource on pole vaulting. This site is dedicated to providing it's readers with everything they need to know about pole vaulting. Whether you're just a spectator or want to compete in pole vault you'll find everything you need right on this website. Feel free to browse around and if you have any questions feel free to contact us.
Incase you don't know where to get started our navigational menu is located on the right part of this page. First, if you're new to the sport we suggest you learn about the history of pole vaulting. If you actually compete or want to compete in the pole vault we suggest you head over to our pole vault equipment section and don't forget to visit our pole vaulting techniques guide. Our pole vault books and pole vault DVDs might also suit you well.
We also have a wide range of pole vault pictures that you can browse through and even some amazing pole vaulting videos. If you want to learn more about what's going on in the sport today you should visit our pole vault resources area. Lastly you might want to check out some of our user submitted pole vault stories, and if you want to submit your own story just contact us.
Pole Vaulting Basics
It is a sport loved by the Greeks even before 1200 BC. Cretans - the then inhabitants of the largest island in the southeast Mediterranean sea, known to be under the control of Greece - used long poles just to vault over bulls they were caring. The Celts - an ancient European race that lived in Britain and Ireland from 400 BC till the arrival of Romans in the first century BC. Also, they were recorded to have lived in Western Europe, more particularly in areas of France and Spain from about 1200 BC, till the arrival of the Romans. They used to vault long distances with the help of a large pole. The Pole vault, was included in the Gymnastic competitions in the year 1175, in Germany but under the name and style of Vertical Jump.
Then, the year 1850 recorded the first competitive event of running pole leaping. It was different from the Pole vault we know today. Heavily built, rigid poles made of ash were to be climbed as far up as possible by the performers and then they had to jump across the pit yonder.
The Americans, always known for innovations and rejection of outdated and cumbersome methods, whether it is technology, business or sports, rejected the movement of hands along the poles. They, instead, introduced the upward swing of the legs and body, so much so, the belly, while facing down, becomes parallel to the crossbar at the time of clearing it.
Only in early 1900's, bamboo poles, very light in weight, were employed for the first time, and ruled the roost till 1942. In 1942, the planting box, now generally known as the plant was included for the first time. Poles made up of aluminum, steel etc., came into being till the year 1957. Only during 1942 to 1957, in order to mitigate the sufferings of the competitors from a great fall on the pit filled with loose sand, they introduced landing mattresses. In the same period, the Americans introduced an innovative pole that was made from fiberglass. The pole vaulting has never been the same after this golden period, which in a sense has totally revolutionized the scenario!