Frequently Asked Questions

Dropzone Pits high jump pits start at $4,995. Competitor systems with similar specs — Gill, Richey, UCS Spirit — typically run $8,000 to $18,000 for comparable sizes. The price difference comes down to one thing: no dealer markup. We're the manufacturer, not a reseller.

Final pricing depends on size, custom school colors, and whether a weather cover is included. Request a quote and we'll send you a detailed breakdown within 24 hours.

Dropzone Pits competition pole vault pits start at $9,995. Comparable systems from major competitors range from $16,000 to $25,000. Again — the gap is the distribution chain. Dealers and distributors typically add 15–30% above manufacturer cost. You don't pay that when you buy from us directly.

Freight is quoted separately because it depends on your delivery location and the size of your system. We ship to all 50 states and handle freight logistics directly. When you request a quote, we'll include a freight estimate to your specific address. No hidden fees at checkout.

Yes. We accept institutional purchase orders from schools, school districts, universities, and athletic departments. We can provide W-9 documentation, itemized quotes in your required format, and we are set up to work with district procurement offices. Contact us at 903-574-6414 or manager@hlkeysports.com to begin the process.

The NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) minimum high jump pit dimensions are 16'6" wide × 8' deep × 24" tall. The Dropzone Pits standard high jump system is 20' × 10' × 32" — significantly exceeding the minimum at every dimension for better safety and compliance with future rule updates.

NFHS minimum for a pole vault landing system is 19'9" wide with at least 16'5" of depth behind the plant box. Our competition pole vault pit is 20' × 20' × 42" — well beyond NFHS requirements and fully compliant with NCAA and World Athletics specifications as well.

Yes. All Dropzone Pits landing systems are built to exceed both NFHS and NCAA specifications. NCAA high jump minimum is 16' × 8' × 26"; our standard is 20' × 10' × 32". NCAA pole vault minimum is 19'9" wide with 19'8" depth; our competition system is 20' × 20' × 42".

Yes. We build to spec. If your facility has unusual space constraints or you need a size between our standard configurations, we can build to your exact dimensions. Contact us with your requirements and we'll work with you on a custom build.

High jump pits are designed for the Fosbury Flop — athletes go over the bar and land on their back. They're typically 16–20' wide, 8–13' deep, and 24–32" tall.

Pole vault pits must absorb the energy of an athlete falling from 15+ feet while carrying a pole. They're significantly larger (19–22' wide, 20+ feet deep) and taller (32–42"). They also require a plant box collar and front bumpers not needed for high jump.

Our standard lead time is under 6 weeks from order confirmation to delivery at your facility. Most competitors are 8–16 weeks, and some run 20+ weeks during peak spring season.

If you need your pit for a specific date, tell us in your quote request. We'll confirm whether we can meet your timeline before you commit.

If your spring season opens in mid-March, order by February 1st at the latest. Our under-6-week lead time means a February order arrives in mid-March — right on time. With a competitor's 12-week lead time, you'd need to order by Christmas to make the same date. Most programs ordering in January or later from our competitors miss their opening meets.

Yes. We ship from Tyler, Texas to all 50 states. We handle freight logistics directly — you don't need to arrange your own shipping carrier. We've shipped to programs in 40+ states and the process is straightforward.

All Dropzone Pits landing systems carry a 12-year warranty against manufacturing defects, including foam compression loss, fabric failure, seam failure, and hardware defects under normal use.

Because we are the manufacturer — not a dealer — warranty claims are handled directly by us. No middleman, no runaround.

The warranty covers manufacturing defects including: foam that has compressed to an unsafe landing density under normal use; fabric delamination or UV cracking; seam failures under normal load; zipper failure; hardware corrosion. It does not cover damage from vandalism, improper storage (no weather cover), or modifications made to the pit by others.

Call us at 903-574-6414 or email manager@hlkeysports.com. Have your order number and a description of the issue ready. Because we built the pit, we can diagnose the problem quickly and determine whether parts, a panel replacement, or a full system repair is the right solution. Most warranty issues are resolved within one season.

The single most impactful thing you can do is use your weather cover every time the pit isn't in use. UV exposure and moisture are the primary life-shorteners for any landing system. Beyond that:

Rotate base sections periodically if your pit has reversible sections. Keep sharp objects away from the casing. Inspect the pit at the start and end of each season for seam wear, foam compression, and zipper function. Store the pit indoors during the off-season if space allows.

No. Pallets were not designed for landing systems and create significant liability issues. A vaulter who comes down awkwardly and contacts an unpadded pallet edge is an injury and lawsuit waiting to happen. Dropzone Pits are built with marine-grade vinyl that repels water — the pit itself handles moisture far better than a pallet setup ever could. If you have a drainage concern, contact us and we'll advise on ground cover solutions.

Key signs it's time to replace, not repair: foam depth below 20" effective cushion; widespread seam failures across multiple panels; casing fabric cracking, tearing, or allowing water intrusion into the foam core; the pit is 12+ years old even if it looks passable (foam loses resilience gradually — it can look okay but fail a proper safety test).

If you're on the fence, send us a photo and we'll give you an honest assessment. We'd rather you repair than replace if repair is the right call.

Fill out our quote request form or call 903-574-6414. Include: competition level (high school / D3 / D2 / D1), whether you need high jump, pole vault, or replacement parts, your school colors, and your target delivery date. We respond within 24 business hours with a full quote.

No. Fill out what you know and we'll help you with the rest. Most athletic directors request a base quote first, then we work through color options, cover specs, and any custom requirements in a follow-up call. The quote process is low-pressure and designed to get you the right information, not to push you toward a sale.

Yes. We're located at 11316 SH 64 West, Tyler TX 75704. If you'd like to see pits in production before you order, contact us to schedule a visit. We're proud of how we build and we're happy to show you.