Track and Field: Pole Vault Skills – JSS3 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Pole vault is a field event that involves jumping over a horizontally placed obstacle (bar) that is supported by two uprights. The vaulter uses a pole as a lever for the uplift of the body. The pole vaulter is expected to lift himself or herself high up with the pole from a single take-off to clear the bar. The competitor is called a pole vaulter. It is performed by both male and female athletes.

Skills in pole vault

Basic Skills in pole vault include the following

1. Flexibility
2. Agility
3. Speed
4. Determination
5. Concentration
6. Muscular Strength
7. Courage

 Pole vault; equipment and facilities

These are:

1. The two uprights
2. The crossbar
3. The supports for the crossbar
4. The landing foam
5. The runway
6. The takeoff box
7. The vaulting pole

 Phases of pole vault

1. The grip or hold
2. Carrying the pole
3. The run-up
4. The plant
5. The take-off
6. The swing up
7. The Turning
8. The clearance
9. The landing

 Common faults in pole vault

i.Gripping the pole wrongly

ii. Inaccurate speed.

iii. Planting the pole before getting to the box.

iv. Not swing up the legs.

v.Not flexing the arms to pull up the body.

vi.Inability to turn the body.

vii. Inability to clear the bar.

viii. Carrying the pole across the body.

 The rules and regulations guiding pole vault event

i. The competitor must take off with one foot (single take-off)

ii. No marks should be placed on any landing area

iii. A competitor is out of the competition when he dislodges the bar three consecutive times at a particular height.

iv. Must not touch the pole when it is falling towards the crossbar

ASSIGNMENT

1. List three types of materials that can be used as a pole

(i)……………………………………………..

(ii)…………………………………………….

(iii)…………………………………………..

2.                 State four major progressions or phases you would adopt in pole vaulting

(i)…………………………………………..

(ii)…………………………………………

(iii)……………………………………….

(iv)……………………………………….

3.                 Outline three common faults that can be observed during pole vaulting

(i)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

.

(ii)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii)………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Write out four sentences on the nature of pole vault event