A vector model of adiabatic decoupling is enunciated for an IS-coupled system of two spin-1 2 heteronuclei in the high-power limit of ideal adiabatic pulses. The observed S-spin magnetization evolves according to a time-dependent coupling that scales as the z component of an I-spin vector which evolves due to the applied decoupling irradiation. Simple analytical expressions are derived both on and off resonance for the reduced coupling during an ideal sech/tanh inversion pulse and for the resulting signal when either in-phase or antiphase magnetization is present at the start of decoupling. The resulting model allows one to readily envision decoupling experiments, make accurate estimates of sideband intensity, and assess the relative performance of different decoupling schemes. The utility of the model is further demonstrated by applying it to several recently proposed methods for reducing sidebands. In the limit of ideal adiabatic pulses, the predictions of the vector model are almost identical to those of quantum mechanics. At the lower RF power levels used in practical adiabatic decoupling applications, where the pulses are no longer perfectly adiabatic, phase cycles are employed to achieve performance that approximates the ideal limits derived here, so the vector model is more generally applicable, as well. These limits establish standards for future determination of the most efficient parameters for practical applications of broadband adiabatic decoupling in a single transient.