State Association of Athletic Directors December 10, 2001

Pole Vault

The NFHS rules committee is studying the situation regarding the pole vault landing pad and is waiting for a national taskforce assigned by the American Society for Testing and Measurements (ASTM) to recommend a new minimum size landing pad. The recommendations of the committee include:

1. Minimum width of the pad to be 19’8”

2. Minimum Length of the pad to be 20’5” from the front edge of the vaulting box to the back of the pad. There must be 16’5” of landing pad behind the vault box.

3. The height (or thickness) of the landing pad to be a minimum of 26”.

4. A collar be placed around the vault box to help minimize e injuries by vaulters falling into the box.

5. A coaching box be pained on the cover of the landing pad that is 8’ deep and 10’ wide. The box would start 3’6” behind the back edge of the vault box. (The purpose of the coaching box is to serve as a guide to help coaches and athletes make performance adjustments.)

Upgrades: It is possible to upgrade your existing landing pad. The height of the upgrade must be the same as your existing pad. This upgrade must be connected to the main pad and all seams covered wo the vaulted cannot fall through the crack and strike the ground. The common cover must cover entire landing pad.

Major manufacturers are aware of the National Task Force Committees work and will make available a pad large enough to meet the new rule.

The NFHS rules committee will consider the recommended changes to increase the minimum size dimensions in the 2002 rules book for the pole vault and will consider making it effective for the 2003 season.

Please call if you have any questions or need additional information.

Cynthia Doyle NFHS Track and Field

317-972-6900