Inspect Your Pole Vault Equipment

There is something comforting about watching an airplane pilot walk around the outside of an airplane for a visual inspection prior to takeoff. Even though there are mechanics that work on the planes, the pilot who knows it is his or her ultimate responsibility for everyone’s safety onboard takes his or her due diligence seriously. It should be no different for athletes, and especially coaches, to inspect sporting equipment prior to each use.

When I coached pole vaulters, I took seriously the responsibility of regularly inspecting the equipment. Part of my inspection process included checking the pole vault pit. A pole vault pit is comprised of several dense mats pushed up next to each other and fastened together with a thinner, singular top mat. Despite the top mat, athletes landing on the pit cause the mats, over time, to shift and sometimes separate, creating a gap can between the pads. These pads need to periodically be pushed back together. A moving pit can create several problems.

1. An outdoor pole vault pit is typically mounted on top of wooden pallets to keep rainwater from saturating the foam pit. Any shifting of the mats may expose the wooden pallets to athletes, who risk injury if they land on the exposed pallets.
2. Shifting of the pads can impede the box at the end of the runway where the pole is placed for the vault. The rules require a particular amount of clearance around the metal vault box so that the pole can swing to vertical without interference. It is important that the mats not obstruct the athlete from moving the pole to vertical, or else they risk landing on the runway or the metal uprights instead of the soft foam mats.
   
3. Pads are also used to cover the uprights that hold the crossbar, which the vaulters must clear during a vault. These pads are placed around the metal uprights and held together with Velcro to protect an athlete from injury. Often the Velcro must be undone to adjust the standards for each athlete. Thus, is important to ensure the pads are secured prior to each vault.
   
4. Beyond the pit, the fiberglass poles should be inspected for micro-fractures. Micro-fractures can occur from a pole that is overused, or used by an athlete rated above the pole's weight rating, or stepped on with shoes with metal spikes. A pole with micro-fractures is subject to break when bent or stressed, which can dangerously occur when a pole vaulter is in mid-air. Periodically the athletic tape used for handgrips should be removed to inspect for any micro-fractures.
   
5. The rubber tip on the bottom of pole should be inspected for cracks and wear so that it can properly and smoothly slide in the metal vault box.
   
6. The pole should be marked for weight rating and pole height. Be sure that athletic tape for handgrips does not conceal the labeling and cause an athlete to use a pole on which he or she is not rated or experienced. 
   
7. Athletic tape should be wrapped around the pole for all handgrips to minimize the athlete’s hand from slipping. The athletic tape should not exceed the maximum handgrip line established by the manufacturer. 
   

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Ultimately, coaches and pole vaulters should regularly inspect pole vault equipment to ensure the safety and success of all athletes.