Average pole vault heights climb steeply through the teens because the vault is a skill event, and skill plus confidence build fast once the basics click. The numbers below are typical for developing school vaulters, not state placers, so use them as a rough placement. Here is how the average moves with age and what separates average from good.
Unlike a pure speed event, the vault average rises mostly as athletes learn the takeoff, swing, and bigger poles. A vaulter can add several feet in a single season once the technique clicks, which is why the average climbs fast in the mid teens.
These are typical heights, not competitive ones. A good varsity vault is well above the age-18 average here, around 14 feet for boys and 11 feet for girls. The gap is run-up speed plus a cleaner swing onto bigger poles.
A faster, repeatable run-up and a takeoff you trust, which lets you grip higher and get on bigger poles. Height follows grip height, and grip height follows speed and technique.
Average shows the ballpark; technique sets the ceiling. Film a vault, the AI grades your takeoff and swing and shows what is keeping you from a higher grip, so you climb past the age average.
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Typical boys' heights by age, girls' heights in the table below. The vault rises quickly once the technique clicks.
Typical developing-vaulter marks. Competitive marks are higher.
| Age | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 7 ft | 6 ft |
| 14 | 9 ft | 7 ft 6 in |
| 16 | 11 ft | 9 ft |
| 18 | 12 ft 6 in | 10 ft |
Common questions athletes and coaches ask about this topic.
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