Back to: Jss2 Physical and Health Education (BST)

Introduction

Track and field is a dynamic and exciting sport that consists of a diverse range of events. These events combine the fundamental athletic skills of running, jumping, and throwing to create a thrilling spectacle for spectators and competitors alike.

The running events in track and field include long-distance races, middle-distance races, and short-distance sprints. Athletes compete in events such as the 100-meter dash, the 800-meter run, and the marathon, pushing themselves to their limits in tests of endurance, speed, and strategy.

The jumping events in track and field test an athlete’s explosive power and coordination. Events such as the pole vault, long jump, and high jump require athletes to combine speed, strength, and precision in their movements as they soar through the air.

The throwing events in track and field demand a unique blend of strength, technique, and coordination. Athletes compete in events such as the javelin throw, shot put, and discus, propelling their implements as far as possible with precision and power.

Meaning Of Pole Vault

A Pole vault is a thrilling athletic event that involves jumping over a horizontal bar using a long flexible pole. It requires an extraordinary level of strength, speed, and agility from competitors who must sprint down a runway, plant the pole in a box, and launch themselves over the bar without knocking it down.

The pole used in pole vaulting is made of fibreglass or carbon fibre and can bend up to a third of its original length. Competitors use the pole to gain height and momentum as they soar over the bar, aiming to clear the highest height possible. The bar is usually set at a height of 4.5 meters, but it can be raised incrementally until only one competitor remains.

Pole vaulting requires a great deal of technique and strategy, and a single mistake can lead to disqualification. Competitors must ensure that the pole is planted correctly and that they launch themselves at the right angle to gain maximum height. They must also clear the bar without making contact, as this would cause it to fall to the ground.

The history of pole vaulting can be traced back to ancient Greece, where athletes used poles to jump over bulls. The modern pole vaulting event was introduced in the late 19th century and has since become a staple of track and field competitions around the world.

Renaud Lavillenie of France currently holds the world record for the highest pole vault by a male athlete, having cleared a height of 6.16 meters in 2014. Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia holds the women’s world record with a height of 5.05 meters, achieved in 2009.

History and Development of Pole Vault

The sport of pole vaulting is an ancient practice that can be traced back to the days of the ancient Greeks. Historians believe that the practice originally started as a means of clearing obstacles such as fences, walls, ditches, and brooks. Poles were used to gain height and leverage, allowing athletes to clear obstacles with ease.

Pole vaulting was also used as a form of entertainment and competition. Ancient Greeks would use poles to jump over animals like bulls and horses, which led to the development of competitive vertical jumping events using poles in gymnastics competitions in Germany in 1775.

The sport of pole vaulting continued to evolve over the years, and in the mid-19th century, the first “running pole leaping” competition was held. This event involved athletes using a running start to gain momentum before vaulting over a bar using a pole. This technique revolutionized the sport and became the standard for pole vaulting competitions.

In 1896, pole vaulting was introduced as an event in the modern Olympic games, marking the beginning of modern pole vaulting. The United States of America played a significant role in the development and popularization of the sport during the late 19th century, which led to its rapid spread throughout Europe and other parts of the world.

Today, pole vaulting is a popular and exciting sport that requires a combination of speed, strength, agility, and precision. It continues to evolve as athletes push the limits of what is physically possible, making it a thrilling event to watch and participate in.

Nature of the Pole Vault Event

Pole vaulting is an exhilarating sport that requires an athlete to use a long, flexible pole to propel themselves over a high bar without knocking it off. It is a physically demanding sport that requires a unique combination of speed, agility, power, and strength.

In pole vaulting, the aim of the vaulter is to clear the bar placed on two uprights at a specific height without touching or dislodging the bar. The height of the bar is raised after each successful clearance, and the vaulter has three attempts to clear the new height. If they fail to clear the bar on all three attempts, they are out of the competition.

If two or more vaulters successfully clear the same height, a tie is declared. In such cases, the number of missed attempts at the final height is used to determine the winner. If there is still a tie, the total number of missed attempts throughout the competition is taken into account.

To achieve success in pole vaulting, an athlete must have proper technique, balance, and coordination. They must also possess a certain degree of fearlessness, as the sport involves flying through the air at high speeds and heights.

Basic Skills in Pole Vault

Pole vault is a highly technical and complex event that requires a combination of physical and mental skills. Here are some of the basic skills required in pole vault:

1. Approach Run: The approach run is the athlete’s run-up to the takeoff point. It is crucial that the athlete runs at the correct speed and maintains a consistent rhythm to generate enough momentum to clear the bar successfully.
2. Plant: The plant is the moment when the athlete plants the pole into the box before taking off. It requires precise timing, as the athlete needs to transfer their speed and energy from the run-up to the pole to generate enough force to lift themselves off the ground.
3. Takeoff: The takeoff is the moment when the athlete pushes off the pole and launches themselves into the air. The athlete needs to coordinate their body movements with the pole to achieve the correct angle and direction of takeoff.
4. Swing: The swing is the athlete’s body position as they travel over the bar. It requires flexibility, coordination, and a strong core to maintain the correct body position and generate enough height to clear the bar.
5. Clearance: The clearance is the athlete’s ability to clear the bar safely without touching it. It requires a combination of physical and mental skills, including strength, timing, and confidence.
6. Landing: The landing is the athlete’s ability to land safely and efficiently after clearing the bar. It requires balance, coordination, and strength to absorb the impact of landing and maintain control.

Rules and Regulations in Pole Vault

A Pole vault is a track and field event that requires participants to use a flexible pole to clear a high bar. To ensure the safety of athletes and maintain fair competition, there are several rules and regulations in the pole vault. Here are some of the most important rules and regulations:

1. Equipment: The pole used in the pole vault must be made of fibreglass, carbon fibre, or a similar material. It must also meet certain length and weight requirements based on the athlete’s gender and level of competition.
2. Approach Run: The athlete must start their approach run from a designated point, which is typically marked on the runway. They are not allowed to take any steps outside of this area before planting the pole.
3. Planting the Pole: The athlete must plant the pole within a designated box at the end of the runway. They must also plant the pole with one hand only and maintain contact with it until they leave the ground.
4. Clearance: The athlete must clear the bar without knocking it off the standards. They must also land in a designated landing area, which is typically filled with soft padding to cushion their fall.
5. Number of Attempts: Each athlete is allowed a certain number of attempts to clear each height. The number of attempts varies based on the level of competition.
6. Starting Height: The starting height for each athlete is determined by the competition officials. This height is typically based on the athlete’s past performances and their ability level.
7. Fouls: If an athlete commits a foul, such as stepping outside the designated area or failing to clear the bar, the attempt is considered a miss. Three misses in a row result in elimination from the competition.
8. Officials: Pole vault competitions are overseen by officials who enforce the rules and regulations. They also measure the height cleared by each athlete and determine the winner.

Faults in Pole Vault

1. Gripping the pole wrongly: One of the most common faults in pole vaulting is gripping the pole incorrectly. If the vaulter grips the pole too high or too low, it can affect their swing and balance, which can lead to a failed attempt.
2. Inaccurate speed: Another common fault is having an inaccurate speed during the run-up. If the vaulter runs too fast or too slow, it can affect the plant and takeoff, which can lead to a failed attempt.
3. Planting the pole before getting to the box: If the vaulter plants the pole before reaching the box, it will lose speed and momentum, making it harder to clear the bar. This fault is known as “planting too early.”
4. Not swing up the legs: Swinging the legs up towards the bar is an essential part of the pole vault technique. If the vaulter fails to do this, they will not be able to clear the bar.
5. Not flexing the arms to pull up the body: The vaulter needs to flex their arms to pull their body up towards the bar. If they fail to do this, they may not be able to clear the bar.
6. Inability to turn the body: The vaulter needs to turn their body towards the bar as they or approaches it. If they fail to do this, they may not be able to clear the bar.
7. Inability to clear the bar: If the vaulter fails to clear the bar, it may be due to a combination of faults, such as incorrect gripping, inaccurate speed, or poor technique.
8. Carrying the pole across the body: Carrying the pole across the body can affect the vaulter’s balance and swing, making it harder to clear the bar. It is essential to carry the pole straight up and down to ensure proper technique.

Facilities and Equipment in Pole Vault

Pole vault is a track and field event where athletes use a long and flexible pole to vault themselves over a high bar. To compete in the pole vault, athletes require several facilities and equipment, including:

1. Vaulting Pole: The most important piece of equipment in a pole vault is the pole. The pole is made of fibreglass or carbon fibre and comes in different sizes and strengths. Athletes need to select a pole that matches their weight, height, and skill level. Vaulting poles can be rented or purchased, and athletes should have a backup pole in case the primary pole breaks during the competition.
2. Landing Area: The landing area is where the athlete lands after clearing the bar. It should be soft and cushioned to absorb the impact of the landing. Landing areas are usually made of foam or rubber and should be at least 10 meters long and 5 meters wide.
3. Crossbar: The crossbar is the bar that athletes vault over. It should be made of lightweight materials and should be easy to adjust the height. The crossbar is usually made of fibreglass or PVC and should be marked with a measuring tape for accurate measurement of the height.
4. Standards: Standards are the uprights that hold the crossbar. They should be made of durable and lightweight materials and should be easy to adjust the height. Standards can be fixed or adjustable, depending on the competition.
5. Runway: The runway is the track that athletes run on to gain momentum before planting the pole and vaulting over the crossbar. The runway should be at least 40 meters long and 1.22 meters wide. It should be made of a non-slip material to prevent athletes from slipping during the run-up.
6. Plant Box: The plant box is the area where the athlete plants the pole before launching into the air. It should be made of durable and non-slip materials and should be at least 1.22 meters wide and 0.75 meters long.
7. Measuring Tape: A measuring tape is used to measure the height of the crossbar and to mark the starting point of the run-up.
8. Safety Equipment: Safety equipment includes helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads to protect athletes from injuries during the competition.
9. Video Equipment: Video equipment, including cameras and monitors, is used to review and analyze the athlete’s technique and performance during the competition.

Officials in Pole Vault

In the pole vault, there are several officials involved in ensuring that the competition runs smoothly and that the rules are followed. These officials include:

1. Chief Judge: The chief judge is responsible for overseeing the competition and ensuring that all rules are followed. They also make final decisions regarding the competition.
2. Referee: The referee is responsible for enforcing the rules of the competition and ensuring that all equipment is safe and in proper working order.
3. Starter: The starter is responsible for starting the competition and ensuring that all athletes start their run at the same time.
4. Pole Vault Landing Mat Officials: These officials are responsible for monitoring the landing area and ensuring that it is safe for the athletes to land. They are also responsible for setting up and adjusting the landing mat as necessary.
5. Pole Vault Crossbar Officials: These officials are responsible for setting up and adjusting the height of the crossbar. They also ensure that the crossbar remains in place during the competition.
6. Pole Vault Pit Rakers: These officials are responsible for raking the pit after each jump to ensure that it is safe for the next athlete to land.