Rotation Acceleration

Rotation acceleration is the athlete accelerating the rotation already begun at takeoff. The bottom arm leads it.

The rotation itself is not started by the athlete. A proper takeoff-jump produces a natural continuation of the leg extension line, as in a long jump, and the rotation begins when the extended takeoff foot starts moving forward. That extension is automatic. It requires no timing and no attention.

There is no neural switch between the takeoff and the acceleration. Nothing is verified and nothing is decided, and the athlete experiences the two as simultaneous.

Some vaults carry a hard delay that is not under the athlete’s control, particularly when the takeoff place is too close to the box.

On video the interval is measurable. In the best vaults the takeoff foot begins moving forward 0.10 to 0.12 seconds after takeoff. A longer interval means the takeoff placed the athlete less favorably, or that something has been added — more chest penetration, a held C-position, or pushing with the bottom arm, each of which prevents the natural rotation rather than accelerating it.