What is maximal effort pole vaulting? Well before I introduce this idea I will use an example from another sport to help illustrate what I am trying to discuss. In the sport of powerlifting maximal effort lifting is the be all end all. What is the most weight you can move for a single rep is the most important thing. And Coach Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell, arguably the greatest powerlifting gym in the world, explains in his book The Westside Barbell Book of Methods that

Genetics + Strength/Fitness + Technique = Performance At Apex for years now we have always discussed the above equation. If you want a particular performance in the pole vault you need to plug in three variables: genetics, strength/fitness, and technique. Now a great discussion could be which of these three variables is the most important, but that’s a discussion for another day. Instead lets look at the influence each of these variables has on one’s performance. Genetics Wel