Pole Vault Rules
A sprint carrying a flexible pole, planted to launch the athlete vertically over a raised bar.
The bar rises progressively; athletes choose when to jump in and get 3 attempts at each height before elimination.
- •Highest bar cleared wins
- •Fewest total failed attempts across the competition is the first tiebreaker for equal heights
- •League standings can rank by best height cleared across the season
- •Knocking the bar off, even after clearing it, counts as a failed attempt
- •Three consecutive failures eliminates an athlete
- •Pole material/length/flex is the athlete's own choice, but grip position at the top can't exceed the pole manufacturer's rated limit at elite level
Poles are matched to the athlete
Vaulting poles are rated for a weight and stiffness, and using a pole rated below the athlete's weight is genuinely dangerous. Athletes progress through poles as they get stronger and faster, and a club needs a range rather than one set.
The grip height and pole choice interact: a stiffer pole needs more speed on the runway to bend properly. This is why pole vault is the one field event where technical coaching is not optional.
Running the event safely
The landing area must be large and correctly assembled, with padding around the box. Vault should never be run without a qualified coach present, and never with athletes attempting heights beyond their technical level.
The competition format mirrors high jump: three attempts per height, a rising bar, and three consecutive failures ending an athlete's competition. Athletes may also move the uprights within a defined range to suit their technique.
Common questions
How is the competition structured?
As a rising bar, exactly like high jump: three attempts per height, athletes may pass, and three consecutive failures ends the competition. Ties are settled by countback on failures.
How do athletes choose a pole?
By weight rating and grip height, matched to their body weight, run-up speed and technique. Never vault on a pole rated below your weight, and progress in small steps under coaching.
Can athletes move the uprights?
Yes, within a defined range, to suit their technique and the wind. Athletes declare the position they want before each attempt and the officials set it.
Is pole vault safe for club leagues?
It is, with proper equipment, a correctly built landing area and qualified coaching. Without all three it should not be run at all, which is why many club leagues omit it or hold it only at specific coached fixtures.
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