Continue on to Rules Pole Vault Coaching Curriculum Mark Strawderman teaches the pole vault fly-away. The fly-away is the last part of the pole vault - it happens naturally if the previous steps have been executed properly. As the pull-turn ends, the left hand released the pole and the legs and hips start to rise over the crossbar. As the top hand releases the pole, the hips arch over the the top of the crossbar with the head still being low. As the legs start to drop down, the head gets lifted up and the vaulter needs to ensure that elbows are pointed outward so the chest isn't thrown on top of the crossbar. Once the crossbar is cleared, the legs drop underneath the body and the vaulter enjoys a long ride down to the pit. Note: Never land on straight legs - always land on your back. Complete video available at Everything Track & Field.
8. Basic TechniqueImportance The Fly-Away is the final phase of the pole vault. If previous phases are done well, the vaulter is in position to be catapulted up and over the crossbar with great power. The Fly-Away happens naturally. The vaulter should not try to manipulate things. Just go with the flow! 
Technical Model
As the vaulter booms off the pole, the bottom hand releases first. (See Figures T & U). The elbow points out as the hand is brought into the chest to avoid dislodging the crossbar. Keep the head low and the feet high until the hips clear the crossbar. Raising the head too soon will lower the hips onto the crossbar. (See Figure V). 
Get a final push with the top hand before removing it and gently lifting it upward as the hips continue to rise over the crossbar and the legs drop. (See Figure W). The head rises as the torso clears the bar while the hips drop. Then the vaulter lifts both hands keeping the hands close to the chest and the elbows out to avoid the crossbar. (See Figure X).
After clearing the crossbar, the vaulter prepares to land on his or her back with both knees bent.
Drills
- The vaulter does a backward roll into a handspring. Add a crossbar when the vaulter becomes comfortable with the drill. This will make it more like an actual vault.
- Under-water vaulting is a good drill. The vaulter is weightless making it easier to
become inverted and execute a good unit Pull-Turn and Fly-Away. Make sure someone holds the pole straight up and down, since the vaulter goes under the water during the drill. - Shot run vaults are excellent for practicing the Fly-Away and the complete vault. The athlete is able to take a lot of vaults, since the Approach Run is short.
Permission is granted to the NPVCA to use illustrations from Bill Falk’s Book V, Fiberglass Pole Vaulting.
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