Re:starting the glide from back of circle? - Throwing Events Discussion

I am a small framed 5'6 157lb. I enjoy throwing the shot. From the glide, I get across the circle with decent speed but do not reach the toe board with my left which hurts my post. Should I move up a few inches in my start or place the emphasis in getting across the ring even more? From whatching video it seems those big guys don't excert a lot of effort getting across.Thanks, Dave

The answer sort of depends on what level thrower you are... If you are in high school now or just learning, I would suggest to move up in the ring a few inches so that you are finishing the throw out over the toeboard and not in the center of the ring... go ahead and take credit for the extra distance! If you continue to throw without needing to have an effective release, block, reverse, etc. (like you are now with leftover room in the ring), you may develop bad habits that may prevent you from progressing later on as you get bigger and stronger and are taking up the entire ring for your throw.

I'm sure there are some more opinions out there related to your point about getting across the ring with more speed and power. I'd like to hear any of those opinions!

Most elite throwers utilize the entire circle, but then again most of them are substantially larger than you and require the use of every inch of the circle. Too many throwers waste too much energy trying to get across the circle and end up putting themselves in a bad power position. Commonly, throwers will leave their right leg too far back or rock from the right side to the left side.

My advice would be, yes, move back a couple of inches. If you have a coach to help you, do your glide on a line (outside of the circle) and measure how much space you need. The length of the glide is somewhat arbitrary as long as you are maximizing linear velocity and an effective power position.

I hate to say this but I totally disagree with everyone hear. You don't need to move up you just need to practice better. First those athletes you see that are throwing from the glide effertlessly are simply using a special known force that interacts with all of use all the time "GRAVITY". If you slow those films down and get a side angle you will see that most of them start on their toes out of the back but just before they shot across the circle they drop down to their heel. If you watch closely you will actually see them falling backwords towards the toe board. This is called unseating. If done right combined with the push off from your right leg (if right handed) and the shotting back of the left foot (if right handed) you should be able to get all the way across the circle. Try a drill called "THE A DRILL". This is were you unseat and just extend your left leg (close to a split) with your center of gravity directley in the middle. From this position pull your right foot underneath you to were the shot would be past your foot. Gradually speed this up until you have the glide. To get us to unseating have someone hold your hands stretch out in front of you and with them holding on to counterbalance you lean backward. Once you get us to this movement incorporate the A DRILL. Good luck!!

DON'T MOVE IN !! keep working on the glide and as you get stronger and more skilled you will get to the board. The 7 foot circle will smaller as you get better. Use it all. patrick wy att