Top hand rises in the last 2-3 strides
Top hand should be fully extended overhead by takeoff, not still rising. Most plant errors are late top hands, the pole hits the box before the hand is up.
The pole vault plant happens in 200 milliseconds. Top hand drives up, pole drops into the box, takeoff foot lands directly under the top hand. Here's the breakdown, plus AI form check on each frame.
Top hand should be fully extended overhead by takeoff, not still rising. Most plant errors are late top hands, the pole hits the box before the hand is up.
The pole rotates into the box on its own weight, the athlete's job is to control the angle, not force it. Pushing the pole down too aggressively kills bend.
Optimal takeoff is directly beneath the top hand. Behind: pole crushes, no bend. Ahead: pole bends without you. AI flags the alignment.
AI extracts the plant sequence, top hand timing, pole drop angle, takeoff foot alignment. The plant is too fast to coach by eye, but obvious frame by frame.
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