Vault Terminology

Speak the Language

Pole vaulting has a unique vocabulary involving complex mechanics. Whether you are a beginner or a coach, understanding these terms is essential for analyzing technique and safety.

Click on the categories below to expand the glossary.

Biomechanics Analysis
1. Approach Run
Choppy steps Over-striding at the end of the run.
Overstriding Reaching too far instead of accelerating naturally.
Too fast out the back Running too fast at the start of the run.
2. Pole Carry
High carry Pole tip carried too high early in the run.
Low carry Pole tip dropped too early.
Rocking the pole Rocking the pole side to side during the run.
Tight grip Holding the pole too firmly instead of relaxed.
3. The Plant
Accelerate through Keep speeding up, don’t coast.
Box Collar Padding around the box for safety.
Decelerated last step Slowed down before takeoff.
Floating step Too much airtime in last stride.
Late drop Pole tip not lowered soon enough before plant.
Plant hesitation Pause right before planting.
Pole Drop Newer style of initiating the plant.
4. Takeoff
Blowing through Running so fast that the pole doesn’t slow you down.
Box jam Foot too close, pole jams the box.
Box miss Pole tip misses or rides the box edge.
Check mark A mid-run marker to track consistency.
Dead plant Pole just “placed” in the box without energy.
Flat takeoff No upward drive, body stayed low and with a low pole bend.
Free takeoff Foot leaves ground before pole hits box.
Getting stood up Pole doesn’t bend, stalls you upright.
Hitch step An extra shuffle before planting.
Late plant Pole wasn’t vertical soon enough at takeoff.
Loaded takeoff Pole hits box before foot leaves ground.
On your step You hit your target mid-mark and takeoff mark.
Out Takeoff Your takeoff foot is inside of the intended takeoff mark.
Over-rotation Jammed the pole too aggressively into the box.
Rushed plant Pole drop happened too quickly before takeoff.
Shoulder drive Cue to punch tall with shoulders.
Strong takeoff Solid drive off the ground.
Under Takeoff Your takeoff foot is inside of the intended takeoff mark.
Under-rotation Didn’t roll the pole into the box strongly.
Weak takeoff Soft, no pop off the ground.
You’re out Your takeoff foot landed too far away.
You’re under Your takeoff foot landed too close to the box.
5. Drive
Didn’t brace Chest collapsed instead of holding strong at takeoff.
Dropped trail leg Back leg fell instead of staying long.
No drive knee Takeoff leg didn’t punch forward/up.
Shoulder collapse Didn’t stay tall into the swing.
6. Swing
Breaking at the hips Folding instead of staying tall.
Casting out Swinging out away from the pole instead of up.
Closed hips Hips stayed aligned with pole.
Dead swing No power in swing.
Didn’t invert Athlete never got upside down.
Drive it long Keep takeoff leg extended into swing.
Flagged out Hips rose but chest lagged behind.
Got stuck Swing stalled, didn’t roll through to inversion.
Open hips Hips facing bar too early.
Pulling early Trying to pull on pole before swing finishes.
Row the pole Actively pulling pole through during swing.
Short swing Cut the swing early without full extension.
Short trail leg Trail leg bent instead of straight.
Shoulder block Using shoulders to resist and roll pole.
Split-leg Before inverting the vaulter separates lead and trail leg.
Tucked swing Swinging with bent legs instead of long/straight.
Whip swing Explosive trail leg whip.
7. Pull Turn
Blowback Pole recoils and knocks vaulter backward.
Early turn Rotated before reaching vertical.
Fast turn Snapping rotation over bar.
Late turn Rotated too late over the bar.
No turn Went straight over without twisting.
Tucked inversion Bent knees, compact upside down.
8. Inversion / Extension
Bar fight Contact with the crossbar on clearance.
Came off early Released from the pole before full extension.
Cover the pole Body stays on top of pole path.
Flagging Falling off the vertical line while inverting towards the bar.
Off the pole Body swings too far away from pole.
Shoot to vertical Drive legs/hips to vertical fast.
Stalled inversion Hips stop rising halfway up.
Straight inversion Clean upside-down body line.
9. Bar Clearance
Bar Love Hitting the cross bar enough to dislodge it but it stays up for you.
Bar squeeze Clipping bar between thighs/calves.
Clean clearance Smooth, no bar contact.
Hollow back Arching over the bar with chest up.
Over the standards Clearance too far back.
Piked clearance Clearing bar bent at the waist.
Rattled the bar Brushed the crossbar on the way over.
Sail over High clearance above bar.
Steering over bar Twisting or adjusting mid-air.
Under the standards Clearance too close to the bar supports.
10. Landing
Bail-out Aborting jump mid-vault.
Deep landing Overshooting toward back of pit.
No man’s land Landing in shallow pit zone.
11. General & Slang
Blew through the pit Landed deep, past safe zone.
Grip / Black Stuff A combination of mixed resin or lighter fluid, creating a super-tacky coating that gives maximum grip. This mixture turns hands black, preventing slipping while allowing for release.
On a soft pole Pole too weak for the run speed.
On a stiff pole Pole too rigid, not bending.
Pole spit Pole kicks back and spits vaulter out.
Ride it up Let the pole carry you vertical smoothly.