n 2013 the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee recommended and the NFHS Board of Directors approved an immediate rule change to Track and Field Rule 7-5-24 pertaining to padding for the pole vault planting box. Rule 7-5-24 requires the use of pole vault planting box padding that meets the new ASTM Specification Standard beginning with the 2014-2015 season.
The 2015 NFHS T&F rule now states: Rule 7-5-22. . . ART. 22. . . The planting box shall not contain any foreign materials except planting box padding, which shall meet the ASTM standards. Such padding can be incorporated into the design of the planting box or can be a padding addition to an existing planting box.
Padding meeting the ASTM Standard (F2949) shall be required for the start of the 2014-15 Track and Field season.
Currently, there seem to be only two vendors with an approved product that fully meets the ASTM F2949 Standard:
- Gill Safety Max+ (Item 719) (http://www.gillathletics.com/store/product/safetymax-vault-box-collar?part=719)
- UCS Pole Vault Collar system (Item 503-6100) (https://www.ucsspirit.com/track-field/product-detail.cfm/category/Pole-Vault/subcategory/Pole-Vault-Accessories/product/Box-Collar-2-3-09-16)
ALL GHSA Member schols MUST meet this new NFHS Pole Vault box padding requirement AND meet or exceed the minimum NFHS requirments for the vaulting runway, landing system, standards and crossbars (pages 55-59, 2015 NFHS T&F Rules Book.) ALL GHSA Member schools MUST report these changes to the GHSA office and be "approved" for practice and competition in the Pole Vault event. Schools unable to fulfill these requirements are PROHIBITED from practicing or competing in the Pole Vault event at a non-compliant facility.
The list of GHSA Member schools "approved" for practice and competition in the Pole Vault event has been PURGED as of January 6, 2015. A new School Pole Vault Facility Certification Form has been added to the GHSA MIS website and all GHSA Member schools must complete this Pole Vault Facility Certification form and be added to the "approved" list BEFORE practicing or competing in the Pole Vault event. The list of GHSA Member schools APPROVED for Pole Vault practice and competition will be continuously updated as schools complete the online certification form.
Schools unable to access the GHSA MIS website and complete the Certification Form may send a letter to Jay Russell at the GHSA office asking for approval and station that all Pole Vault facilities equipment, INCLUDING the box collar pading that meets the ASTM Standard (F2949), landing pads and standards meet or exceed the minimum NFHS standards.
