Re:Gender differences in technique - Throwing Events Discussion

Although this is sort of a rhetorical question, I want to generate some discussion on why there are significant differences in male and female throwing techniques amongst elite athletes, specifically in the shot put and discus. (athlete size, implement size and weight, etc) Any takers?

Furthermore, how many collegiate or high school coaches teach different technique between the genders, and why?

Hi all, new to the boards.

I myself do not teach too much difference in styles at all. I also give my athletes the choice on whether they want to rotate or glide.

All throws are driven by the legs, and that is the only part of the anatomy that is really similar between boys and girls.

I agree. To me the only real difference is mentaly. Girls tend to think more about each individual aspect of the throw where guys for the most part can just do it. This means that for most girls it will take a different approach and more time (in my expeirence) to teach them technique. But as long as they want to learn its all good.

i think that what is being said is all true, but in SOME cases there is a factor of how "jacked" people get for events - shot put - in my opinion that makes a huge difference in the actual throwing. and where i throw there is a huge difference in the attitude of the coaches as it relates to the to gender of the throwers. during our practices the guys are focused and on task but the girls are off doing what ever they want and not really working. now im not saying that is how ever where is but that is how it is where i throw. and i think that has a huge effect on the quality of the throwers as protaining to gender.

I agree with everyone here. All of the girls, with a few execptions, have had really no interest in being very good at the throws. It is hard to get them to show up to practice and when they do they are scared to try to hard. Most girls don't want to lift weights because they think that will make them bulkier and less atractive. So yes in my experience it is easier for me to teach the glide to the girls because it isn't a lot of technique and it is easy to teach quickly. And yes every girl tends to over think the throws because they want it to be perfect but they don't realize that not every throw is or will be. For the most part I only upgrade anyone to a rotational shot if they have the passion to throw, to work hard, and to throw far. And having good foot work and balance are extrem plusses too.

I completely agree that the biggest difference is mental. Girls seem less driven in throwing events. I think part of this comes from the stereotype that all girls that do throwing are fat or ugly. This is entirely untrue because I personally have seen attractive female throwers.

I sort of take offence to that, being a girl. I know that in my high school, it did seem like the girls were not motivated to throw, but I was there everyday lifting with the football team. More often than not, I lifted more than they did not to mention more than my whole track team did put together.

Now in college, some of the hardest working athletes I know are on my women’s throwing team.


look out for us this year!

OK so my question was more surrounding biomechanics. Women more often have a lower center of gravity, and they throw a proportionally lighter implement.

As for the psychological/motivational differences, I agree with GSUthrower that women athletes. In my experience, especially at the college level, women show greater intrinsic motivation and they often are better with developing technique; Men are often more likely to throw harder instead of smarter.

But again, my question was about peoples thoughts on technique and biomechanical differences.

In my high school the girls were equally willing to go to practice and throw. They were equally driven and def through "smarter" than the men on the team. They may not have worked as hard in the weight-room as the guys...but we were all also football players.