How to Learn the Rules of Pole Vaulting

Pole Vaulting is all about clearing the bar with grace, agility, poise and a little luck. While there are only a few rules, it's important to follow them, as judges are quick to disqualify. Here are the rules for pole vaulting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Clear the bar. The most important rule is that you must clear the bar. While you may brush it, if the bar falls off the uprights (and it will quite easily) then it is considered a failure.
2. Mind the mat. The attempt is counted as a failure if any part of your body touches the mat (or sometimes sand) before completing a jump over the bar. Many times you will see failed attempts where vaulters don't quite use the stick properly, miss the jump and land on the mat. This is considered a failure.
3. Watch the clock. A competitor has 2 minutes to complete an attempt at the pole vault. After such time it is considered a failure.
4. Keep track of failures. Once you receive 3 consecutive failures at any given height you are out of the competition.
5. Limit your failures. As in the long jump, if there is a tie, the competitor with the fewest number of failures will be declared the winner.
6. Know the equipment. In Pole Vaulting, the rules allow you to use very little equipment. Gloves are not permitted, only chalk or rosin on the hands. The competitor's weight must meet the pole requirements. This will be verified by your coach or a judge. (Essentially you cannot have a person who is too heavy for their pole.) No more than 2 layers of adhesive tape can be wrapped around the pole. And you cannot grip the pole above the marked placing for the "top-hand."