The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-09-16
POLE VAULTING AS AN ART

ing article explains the art of pole
vaulting. which is one of the most diff
ficult branches of track athletics:
The pole vault is probably the most
letic program for the reason that While
the weight thrower must have strength
the jumper agility and runner endur
ance the athlete who wishes to win
success as a pole vaulter must cult
first named qualities.
Surprising the athlete to be of aver
age strength, it is the intelligent ap-
plicatiOn of that power and its gradu
al increase by practice that will bring
success in this interesting event.
The first question that comes to the
mind is, How can l obtain the kind of
strength which is most needed?
The work can be varied, for almost
any exercise will assist in some de-
gree to strengthen useful muscles. |
would advise short distance running
hurding, the broad and high jumps,
and gylnnastic exercises. but don't do
too much of any one thing.
How to Handle Pole.
After taking this preliminary course
SO as to timber up, commence the prac-
tice of the vault and cease the other
work entirely. The number of times
you should practice each week is a
matter to be judged by the strength,
but it should be at least three and not
more than five. When competing cut
the practice to twice on the preceding
week.
The first thing for the beginner to do
is to learn what is called the shift"
which is the handling of the pole pre-
vious to the actual jump.
The pole should be held with the
hands, two feet apart, the right hand
palm up, being uppermost, and the left
hand with the palm down.
The pole should be held at the side
waist nigh, and pointing straight in
front.
Take a few long strides as If ap-
preaching a jump, keeping the back
bringing the right hand above in front
of the face and sliding the left hand
naturally turn the point of the pole
toward the ground ready to make the
leap.
AS soon as the shift is perfected,
the athlete can take a few jumps into
the air, but keeping hold of the pole
and endeavoring to travel a straight
and not too rapid course.
This part of the jump having been
mastered, the man can try over bar,
at low height, gradually increasing
the height. Surprising. the bar to be
placed at eight feet, the pole should
be grasped with the right hand at nine
feet from the bar and the left hand two
feet below. Start sixty feet away from
the bar and. running with long, even
strides, when you are within fifteen
feet of a mark, just below the bar, per-
form the shift Do not slow up in the
run as you do this. You will then be
within about nine feet of the bar, the
pole pointing to the ground. AS soon
as it touches spring straight up into
the air, keeping the elbows straight
and the hands above and in front of
the face and the back followed.
Push the pole before you and guide
it toward the crossbar.
When half way up bring the feet for
ward and swing the body up till it is at
an angle Of forty-five degrees, and at
the same time pull the body up till the
hands are at the left Of the chest Then
quickly turn face downward, and as
the momentum of the swing of the
| body ceases and the feet commence to
come down, press down hard on the
pole and bring the body above and
across the bar by Strengthening out the
arms.
When the pole is within an inch or