Approach is too slow
Bending a stiffer pole requires more speed at takeoff. The same form on a slower approach won't bend a bigger pole. The fix is sprint work, not vault-only sessions.
Most vaulters get stuck on the same pole for a season or two. The pole isn't the problem; the input to the pole is. Below: the four real reasons you can't move up, in the order they usually need fixing, and what each one looks like on video.
Bending a stiffer pole requires more speed at takeoff. The same form on a slower approach won't bend a bigger pole. The fix is sprint work, not vault-only sessions.
Bigger poles assume a higher grip. If you're not at the top of your current grip range, the bigger pole feels heavier without any benefit. Move grip up first.
A plant angle below 75 degrees on a stiffer pole means the pole catches you instead of you driving the pole. Drill the top of the plant separately.
Bigger poles only work when speed, grip, and plant are all in range. Film a vault on your current pole, AI grades all three. The slowest one is the actual reason you're stuck.
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