January 18, 2002
The National Federation Track and Field Rules Interpretation Meeting was held Jan. 15, 2002. It was reported at the meeting that the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee will consider a recommendation from the National Pole Vault Safety Committee to enlarge and enhance pole vault landing pad requirements at its next meeting this coming summer. The accompanying configuration is being proposed to the rules committee. It makes the size of the landing pad larger, requires a coaches box be marked on the covering that goes over the landing pad, and makes the front bun (area on both sides of the planting box) larger. This rule change more than likely will be made, and for implementation in the 2002-03 (next) school term. Schools should begin preparation now to upgrade their existing facilities.
It was reported the height of the landing area must be 26 inches (generally the 24-inch pad and the 2-inch top that will provide a common cover for all pads attached together under the top that will have the coaches box on it). There also must be padding on any side of the landing pit that covers any hard and unyielding surfaces under or around the landing pad.
The Coaching Box is designed to be an aid to vaulters and their coaches. A review of the concept follows:
The National Pole Vault Safety Committee is recommending that a coaching box be painted on the cover of the landing pad that is 8' deep and 10' wide. The box would start 3'6" back from the back edge of the vault box.
a. The purpose of the coaching box is to serve as a guide to help coaches and athletes make good decisions and performance adjustments.
b. For the safest and most efficient vaulting, the vaulters' head and shoulders should land inside the box during all drills and competitive jumps.
c. If the head and shoulders are landing outside the rear of the box, then the vaulter needs a stiffer pole to slow their pole speed down, this adjustment is approximately 5 pounds.
d. If the vaulter is landing off to one side or the other with the head and shoulders outside the coaching box, the vaulter needs to lower their grip and learn how to plant and swing in a straight line into the middle of the pad.
e. If the vaulter is landing with his or her head and shoulders in front of the coaches box, they need to lower their grip and perhaps go to a slightly softer pole.
The enlarged landing area and pad requirements, and the required common cover pad with coaching box on it, will require a member school to do one or more of the following:
1) Replace the existing pole vault landing pad with a new one that complies to the rule.
2) Purchase pads to enlarge your existing landing pad and purchase a common cover with the coaches box on it.
3) Purchase additional pads to place over any hard and unyielding surfaces in the area of the pole vault pit at your track.
4) Require a school to move the pole vault pit from its present location to one that does not interfere with the track events. If a landing pit is adjacent to the track, the expanded size of the landing pad and other padding probably will extend into the running surface. If that were the case, the pole vault would have to be contested at a time when the running events would not be taking place.