PoleVaultPower.com

My 15 yr old freshman daughter just qualified for Texas High School Regional competetion, PR 8' 6". She cleared 9'6" last night at practice (over the bungy cord) Anyway, in younger years she Stiff Poled the vault and was okay (bending those arms). Now she is able to Bend the Pole by keeping those arms straight. However, this is very seldom due to the old habit of bending those arms as she did in Jr. High. How can she "break" this habit and keep those arms straight? Short of being focused, and repetition is there any "tricks" out there that could help?
Thanks,
Sports Mom

Well, the trick is that you do not want her to keep the left arm "straight" (assuming she is rigth handed). There should be some bend in the left arm in order to reach verticle a quick as possible. When kids are finally ready to learn the feeling of a bending pole I will have them do some wall plants. Beware that you do not want them to do to many because it will force bad habits of pausing too long before initiating their swing in a full vault.