Fierljeppen or Polsstokverspringen (Netherlands)

This sport is a kind of combination of long jump and pole vault. The goal is to jump over a water tank with a pole and land on the other bank. The competitor runs towards the canal with water, inserting the pole into the water, climbs up as high as possible, then to land as far as possible on the opposite sandy shore.
The pole is 8 to 13 meters (from 26 to 43 ft). At the end, there is a tile that prevents it from sinking into the mud at the bottom of the water tank.
The whole jump consists of several parts that can be trained separately: a short, fast run from a distance of about 20 m from the pole (polsstok), a jump in its direction and climbs up the top of the pole so that in the last phase, land on the sand, unless the competitor previously climbed insufficiently high, then he lands in the channel. Fierljeppen jumpers must be characterized by great strength and developed motor coordination, they must be able to concentrate and have a lot of perseverance.
Fierljeppen requires a lot of technical knowledge. To do and land a successful jump, you must be master in many different aspects. The pole must be placed at a suitable distance from the platform (in the case of deep water, it is placed closer because water resistance must be taken into account). Then make a short and quick sprint from 15 to 20 meters, grab the pole with both hands. Then you have to climb up the top of the pole as soon as possible because the higher you go, the more distance the player overcomes. However, be sure not to disturb the balance or trajectory. When the pole starts to move down on the opposite side, push back and turn the legs forward to maximize the momentum. Of course, a good landing is important to avoid injury.
The run-up is essential for a good jump. Its speed determines, among other things, how far you can put the pole in the water. Training of run-up is an important part of a practice as ,in addition to general basic training, run-up training is also necessary:
• the length of the run-up should be determined,
• Make sure that the consistency of preparations in all elements of the jump is maintained, which should be checked regularly.
The run-up length is different for each player. This is related to strength of leg, size and number of steps. The ultimate goal is to reach exactly at the end of the ramp without looking at the platform. Usually, the run starts with the strongest leg, making an odd number of steps: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, etc. Warm-up starts with 3 initial runs. A measuring tape is placed next to the running way, which indicates fixed measuring points. Each of the runs is measured with a tape. The coach checks if the jumper ends the run in the right place. The jumper is looking only at the starting point, starting the run, then looking ahead at the endpoint. Training should be varied and cannot focus only on the run-up, because the exercise for a long time, causes fatigue, which affects the length of steps. In addition, in the start-up season, length of the entire run-up may change. This is due to increasing the strength and pace of the run-up. If the average step distance changes by + 1 cm, the total run-up distance increases, eg by 15 cm.
Jump is very complex. It becomes the transition from the run-up to climbing. Jump and grabbing the pole take place almost at the same time, followed by the simultaneous forwarding of the legs. The pole must be between both legs.
The jump must be made at right angles to the pole. When the altitude is too high, you lose strength and jump to the other side is not adequate.
Each player must locate his proper jump. Its purpose is to smoothly switch from the optimum speed of run-up to upward movement, without losing too much speed.
Gripping the pole with your hands should take place at least at eye level or slightly higher. This is important for a smooth transition from rushing to climbing.
The too high grip makes it difficult to pull up. If the grip is too low, this makes it difficult to climb gently.
Collaterally with raising your arms, extend your legs forward. At the same time, the head must be kept straight. In this way, the weight of the body and strength the speed of run-up from the flow are evenly distributed. Swinging also helps you climb higher on the pole and thus achieve a longer jump.
After grabbing the pole you have to lock your feet around it and pull up as high as possible. The hands can be moved up together or in rotation. Simultaneous shifting gives a calm style of climbing, but it costs more strength of the leg. Moving hands one by one gives a "wild style" of climbing, but it requires less leg strength. Right-handed jumpers surround the pole with their left foot. Left-handed jumpers surround the pole with their right foot. The climbing cycle consists of:
• Move your hand up while straightening your legs.
• Raising your knees and immediately blocking your feet on the pole.
• Straightening the legs.
It is possible to move from about 70 cm to 1 meter in one pull-up cycle. This, of course, depends on the height of the player.
The landing is one of the most difficult element. Partly because it is a complicated technique, and partly because it is the last section of the total jump.
The hardest part is when the landing begins and the pole is about 45 ° to the ground which is sand.
The competitor should take the pole as far as possible with stretch out arms and with both hands together. Then he throws the body forward, twisting it at the same time by 180 ° and bending upwards. If the whole operation is carried out correctly, then the whole speed and strength allow you to be pushed forward.