Many of the techniques inexperienced coaches are teaching are dangerous and potentially harmful to the athlete. They are teaching poor techniques and encouraging habits that can be difficult to fix if athletes ever want to progress in the sport. The truth is: it's a complicated sport. There is not one specific way to pole vault, and that's the beauty of it. There are some techniques that work for some athletes and not others because of their body type or their individual strengths. However, there are some basic principles that all beginners should be taught in order to have a safe and enjoyable experience.