PoleVaultPower.com

The practice of tapping (assisting) a vaulter is not allowed by the NFHS. This is per rule 7-2-10 (Competitiors in the jumping events shall not use any weights or artificial aids.)

Since the NFHS rulebook is written for competitions only it does not apply to practice however it does apply to warmups (if it does not then you can tap in competition also).

This was an issue in a recent meet I attended. 2 coaches were giving taps in warmups and were warned that it was not allowable.


FYI

can you clarify what a "tap" is

A tap would be any kind of spot, push or shove that a coach gives a vaulter at takeoff. Basically touching the vaulter at all I guess. Hope that clarifies it.

just goes to show that some coaches are still clueless as to what safe vaulting is. I only give taps to my kids that are just beginning to bend in order to make sure they make it into the mats, but once they can do that, they don't get anymore.

PVJunkie wrote:The practice of tapping (assisting) a vaulter is not allowed by the NFHS. This is per rule 7-2-10 (Competitiors in the jumping events shall not use any weights or artificial aids.)

Since the NFHS rulebook is written for competitions only it does not apply to practice however it does apply to warmups (if it does not then you can tap in competition also).

This was an issue in a recent meet I attended. 2 coaches were giving taps in warmups and were warned that it was not allowable.


FYI

Warning??? the documention I have says this will result in a DQ. This New rule will be in the 2004 book but is in affect for the 2003 outdoor season. It follows the NCAA change made for 2003

A tap can add thrust and momentum energy to the vault from 20lbs to 35lbs.The end result can be a false sense of ability to penetrate when not getting the tap resulting in not getting in the pit. And could also result in over stressing the vaulting pole which could break on any subsequent vault.