The elusive bar just sits there and drives vaulters crazy as it moves higher and higher pushing the vaulter to run faster, be stronger, use more finesse!
Several tricks can be used to get your center of mass over the bar and maybe even under the bar!

1. SIMPLE TOOL TO CLEAR THE BAR:

When you push off there is this tendency to drag the crossbar off with the elbows. A simple turning of the thumbs down after release of the pole rotates the arms and the elbows turn upward and away from the bar.

2. USE A LITTLE PHYSICS

If you are using a pole rated over your weight you may be able to clear higher than the pole can throw you. Staying close to the pole during the pull-turn phase you can ride the return energy.

It is like this where is the center of mass of a donut? The hole; so if you strive to clear the bar (looking like a donut with a bite out of it) and the hips go over the bar the parabolic path of the center of mass being a point in the center of your peak (or located below the bar) could travel under the bar while the body goes over. Thus you have vaulted higher than the path of the center of mass!

3. TO LOOK OR NOT TO LOOK

Looking at the bar keeps you in the bucket and you cannot swing back. Throwing the head back causes other problems, however if you allow the shoulders to roll back as you pull this portion of a well-executed vault should provide a little weightlessness so you can pull and turn with very little effort.

4. SIMPLE GRIP CHANGES THAT WORK (You must be on a pole rated over your weight to accomplish this task)

• If you peak and you just cannot get over the bar, you may need more penetration. You can fine-tune the pole with an increase of the grip by 1 inch to give you that edge.
• If you blow through the crossbar and you do not have a stiffer pole, you can move the grip down one fist and drive the box this will give you at least a 4 lbs stiffer pole that might make the difference.
• If you are over bending your pole and you do not have a stiffer one, immediately move the hand grip down one and one half fist, you will be surprised how this will get you through the meet and you might even get a PERSONAL RECORD.

Anyone have tricks of the trade that work they wish to share?