 In terms of sport , the use of poles for vaulting distances was recorded in Fierljeppen contests in the Frisian area of Europe , and vaulting for height was seen at gymnastics competitions in Germany in the 1770s . One of the earliest recorded pole vault competitions was in Cumbria , England in 1843 . The basic rules and technique of the event originated in the United States . The rules required that athletes do not move their hands along the pole and athletes began clearing the bar with their feet first and twisting so that the stomach faces the bar . Bamboo poles were introduced in the 20th century and a metal box in the runway for planting the pole became standard . Landing mattresses were introduced in the mid @-@ 20th century to protect the athletes who were clearing increasingly greater heights . 
 In terms of sport , the use of poles for vaulting distances was recorded in Fierljeppen contests in the Frisian area of Europe , and vaulting for height was seen at gymnastics competitions in Germany in the 1770s . One of the earliest recorded pole vault competitions was in Cumbria , England in 1843 . The basic rules and technique of the event originated in the United States . The rules required that athletes do not move their hands along <a href='None' title='1'><mark>the</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='2'><mark>pole</mark></a> and athletes began clearing the bar with their feet first and twisting so that the stomach <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>faces</mark></a> the bar . Bamboo poles <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> introduced in the 20th century and a metal box in the runway for planting the pole became standard . Landing mattresses <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> introduced in the mid @-@ 20th century to protect the athletes <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> clearing increasingly greater heights . 
In terms of sport , da use of poles fa vaulting distances was recorded in Fierljeppen contests in tdaFrisian area of Europe , and vaulting ffirheight was seen at gymnastics competitions in Germany in thda770s . One of thedarliest recorded pole vault competitions was in Cumbria , England in 1843 . The basic rules and technique of the dant originated in the Udaed States . The ruda required that athletes do not move their hands along no pole and athletes began clearing the bardath their feet first and twisting soo that the stomda face the bar .damboo poles was introduced in the 20th century and a metal box in the runwaydar planting the pole became standard . Landing mattresses was introduced in the mid @-@ 20th century to protect the athletes was clearing increasingly greater heights .