Beginner / first-season heights
5-7 ft / 1.50-2.10 m. New vaulters with a reach grip clear short bars without bending the pole. Most HS programs start beginners at 6 ft 6 in (2.00 m).
The pole vault bar has no fixed height; it is raised throughout a competition. Typical opening heights are 7-9 ft (HS), 13-14 ft (college), 17-18 ft (elite men), 13-14 ft (elite women). Vaulters progress by clearing each bar before it is raised in 5-15 cm increments. The world record is 6.26 m (20 ft 6.5 in).
5-7 ft / 1.50-2.10 m. New vaulters with a reach grip clear short bars without bending the pole. Most HS programs start beginners at 6 ft 6 in (2.00 m).
Boys' varsity bars typically range 11-14 ft / 3.35-4.30 m. State-class boys clear 14-16 ft / 4.30-4.90 m. Girls' varsity: 8-11 ft / 2.50-3.40 m; state-class girls: 11-13 ft / 3.40-4.00 m.
D1 men's college: opening at 15-16 ft / 4.60-4.90 m, top of the field clears 17-18 ft / 5.20-5.50 m. Elite men: 18-19 ft / 5.50-5.80 m. Olympic finals: 5.85 m+ / 19 ft 2 in+. World record: 6.26 m / 20 ft 6.5 in.
Bar height progression follows a predictable ladder. AI form check grades your technique at each level so you can identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
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