When I was 50 years younger and 50 pounds lighter, I tried my hand at pole vaulting. It’s a peculiar track-and-field event that involves running at full speed with a heavy pole in hand toward a crossbar set high off the ground.

At about three steps from the crossbar you plant the pole in the ground and hurl your feet overhead at just the right moment to maximize upward momentum. Finally, you push off from the pole as it reaches vertical and squeak over the crossbar without knocking it off. A successful vault involves a great deal of technical and tactical knowledge as well as strict choreography and constant practice. These things I learned from a little bit of book study and much trial and error. In the end, the game is the best teacher.

But what about the coach’s role in developing my ability?

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