#249: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "What Should Coaches Look for in Pole Vault Standards?"
The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections PodcastShow Notes
Pole vault standards influence every jump, every practice, and every competition—but they rarely receive the same attention as the landing system. In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the factors coaches should consider before purchasing standards, including accuracy, ease of adjustment, visibility, durability, mobility, maintenance, replacement parts, and long-term value. A set of standards should not simply hold a crossbar. The right set should make practices more efficient, competitions easier to operate, and facility management simpler for years to come. What should coaches look for when buying pole vault standards? In this pod, Mike Cunningham discusses the details that matter most: accurate and readable scales, smooth adjustments, reliable locking systems, durable frames and wheels, maintenance needs, replacement-part availability, and long-term facility planning. The least expensive standards are not always the best long-term value. The best standards are the ones that work accurately and reliably every day—without becoming something coaches have to think about.
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