Could I do pole vaulting?

Question

I'm a 16 year old girl and I am thinking of doing track and I want to do pole vault. I've never done track or pole vault before. What do I need to be able to do this? For example, do I need upper body strength, speed, etc.? I did my first season of cross country this year.

Answer 1

I just looked at some questions u answered. u have put a lot of people down. Would u like it if some one said couldn't pole vault just because? I respect u and all, just telling u the truth.

Anyways, the answer to ur question: is YES! have u seen the shortest professionalal basketball player. he was short, and still made it. u can too.

Answer 2

first of all you can't be scared of heights.  of course pole vault requires upper body so you're gunna have to grow some guns kiddo.  it takes time an patience to mold someone to be good at pole vault so don't be frustrated if it takes you a while.

as for track like the running events, distance and pole vault don't really go together, but you COULD make it work if you tried hard enough.  you needa be able to run pretty quick while staying balanced down the runway.

your height shouldn't be the only factor that would naturally stop you from trying something new.  who knows, you might even find that you have a knack for pole vaulting :P so don't give up without a fight and try your best.

Answer 3

I'm not quite sure why you would want to.

Answer 4

You might be kind of too short, but you can get away with that. You do need upper body strength and you must be really skinny for pole vault.

Answer 5

your upper body has to be REALLY strong.

Answer 6

ima pole vaulter at high school since your 16, your a junior right. well for me, it took me one full season to get the hang of pole vaulting (I am the average kid) but my friend (who seems to be good at all sports) cleared 10 ft 6 in in his first year.

you need speed and upper body strength to bend the pole, and you have to have abdominal strenght.

do they have tryouts for each event at your shcool? give pole vaulting a shot and listen to what the coache say. originally, i was not put into pole vaulting, but i switched into it.

my PR is 9 ft, but i was SO FREAKING CLOSE TO CLEARING 9' 6"

Answer 7

you are defiantly not too short.

for pole vaulting you need a lot of upper body strength and much speed.

Answer 8

to do pole vault, a lot of upper body strength helps, but most of all you just need good technique. if you have a good coach on your team you should do fine.