Re:Glide or Spin - Throwing Events Discussion

I was a 48' shot putter in high school and currently I am throwing for a college without a throwing coach. In high school I was strictly a shot putter, I struggled with learning how to throw discus. Now that I'm in college I tried to switch to the rotational, however when i do the spin I throw about 30-32' but when I go back to my glide I am throwing about 40'. Should i stick with the spin or switch back to the glide?

I would say if you don't have a coach and you don't have a rotational base (i.e. discus background) I would suggest sticking with the glide, or find yourself a coach.

yeah that is tricky. Because it is based on a lot of things. How good of a athlete are you, how fast, how tall, why does your spin break down? Are you dipping the shot? Are you pulling the shot away from your neck? I mean there could be a million variables to look at. I would stick with the spin. I am biased though. I just believe in it and teach it to all that I coach. I just think the best shot putters are spinners. Like I said though I am biased.

I agree with the above coach who states to develop your glide technique. You can get stronger and faster in the gym and on the track. However, without the strong discus background you'll be hard pressed to get that feedback. Sure, you can Youtube yourself into spinning or go to a camp. It took my kid a year to become a HS state champion. He glided last year and hit 55' and this year we hit 59' spinning. It is tough without a coach and/or feedback. Good luck but have fun first!