Steve Hooker clears 5,96m - Pole Vault Olympic Champion 2008

[trumanpugh614]

Your video is a favorite on Port Moresby

[DorrianWhite]

@WiscPaddler511&camdaman2805..­..Steve hookers coach and Vitali Petrov use the same model. The only difference is after plant Steve drops his drive knee to gain more energy throughout his swing.

[timpv]

@DorrianWhite

Hooker doesnt purposely drop his knee, because he takes off under knee drive becomes very hard, his swing therefore becomes a double leg swing but this is only a half swing. If you watch the video he swings, then pikes his body which makes him pick up a bit later in the rock back, he also stalls as well. This is nothing like petrovs model which is based on continuous movement throughout the vault. The swing never stops in the vault until release.

[twixbar]

@timpv he does use the same "model as petrov" Steve just has mistakes. in this case he dropped his knee on purpose (but he dropped it too far) all high class vaulters do that because it sends the momentum forward. this vault was not his best vault at all so you cant really judge everything based on this one jump. his 2009 jump in berlin was much better.

[larok21]

dang i guess im emphasizing my split too much

[DarthMuse]

best pole vaulter in the world today

[jakandjakesjams]

Steve holt!

[AlbinoTopaz]

OMG that's quite the vault..0_0

[WiscPaddler511]

hookers technique works for him but if he learned to use the petrov/bubka model or free take off he would be even more amazing than he already is. who knows with that he could possibly break bubka's record

[camdaman2805]

@WiscPaddler511 couldnt disagree more,, petrov hasnt got the 'perfect' technique.. people vault better to different styles and techniques.. not everyone is the same somatotype and in the most technical event in the world one model isnt the answer for everyone.

if anyone cares to discuss im open but im not trying to have a go at anyone, just putting my view across.

[MrA123ste]

the dropping of the knee is just a way to prevent premature rotation of the vautler. even bubka did it to some degree

[pigolabenny]

Grande Hooker! Uno dei miei atleti preferiti.

[TheLittlepalegirl]

wow

[99isthebest]

legend

[catthtlndsonback]

i didnt know he did a double leg swing... no wonder he can get so much energy into that kick!

[Mattworks95]

OMFG wat a beast

[SuperiorSwagon1]

i hate steve hookah!

[Masakei01]

everyone hates you

[ohsvault]

na 45 is the closest

[discgolfer550]

Hooker and Bubka have simular technical models. Bubka however runs better, transitions into his plant better, and achieves a free takeoff more consistently (never really seen Hooker do it)... Leading to him jumping on a bigger pole and having a more pwerful swing, eventhough Hooker is bigger than him. Hooker does do some things very very well.

[discgolfer550]

i thought the closest you could have your standards were 45cm?

[CharlesWII]

he's got such a crazy technique

[xedvux]

Why is it crazy?

[CharlesWII]

crazy in how awesome it is, not crazy life hoffman crazy or anything :P

He just makes it look so damn effortless

[xedvux]

I'm no expert but how would Hooker's technique compare to Bubka or Tarasov?

[CharlesWII]

I'm no expert either so don't ask me, but i can see that bubka and tarasov have a very defined trial leg and drive leg. Hooker's practically double legged swinging. You wouldn't think a double leg swing would work at all, but well... look at the video.

[pvguy847]

well obviously the guy is good if he won the olympics, but yea he has a great springy, strong approach but his plant and swing could be better. what makes this guy outstanding is his technique off the top end. he's crazy strong to extend off the pole that far since he pole doesnt bend that deep.