Pole vault: first jumps
Ready when: the child can hang from a bar for 5 seconds, roll backward, and run holding a long stick high without it swinging; a coach and a proper pit are present.
What the coach teaches
How to hold and carry the pole, planting it and taking off, first short-run jumps with a low grip into sand or onto the pit before any bar; later swinging up and turning over an elastic.
At home, safe only
Pole-free games only: hanging and swinging on a climbing frame, backward rolls on grass, running with a broom held high without it swinging.
Ask the club
Whether the facility is accredited for pole vault; the size of the landing mat (at least 5 m wide and 0.8 m thick, reaching 5 m past the zero line); whether the coach stands at the plant spot for first jumps; where the highest grip is marked for the child.
What you can see from the side
Tape on the pole marking the highest grip; the top hand never lets go before landing; the coach at the plant spot on first jumps.
Self-check what the coach confirms
5 short-run jumps in a row landing feet first with the top hand still on the pole.
Stop and get a coach when
The child lets go of the top hand, or jumps without a coach at the plant spot.
awiseathlete.com/sports/athletics/athletics-a4