Throwing the Discus
An Introduction to the Event
By: Andy Bloom
Grip- There are two grips that are predominantly used. The discus is set into the hand with the palm of the hand flat
against the top of the disc and the first knuckle of all the fingers wedged against the rim. The two grips that are most
common have the fingers spread wide or the index and middle fingers together. The thumb is used to control the angle of
the discus. Do NOT grab the discus. If you hold your hand parallel to the ground, the disc should fall out of your hand. The
rotational forces you generate in the ring keep the discus in your hand.
The Throw- Your goal in establishing your technique should be to come up with the simplest, most repeatable
technique possible. Your ability to throw far in big meets depends on you making the technique easy to do.
The discus throw breaks up into five phases (the following has been written for a right handed thrower):
• 1st Double Support- In the back of the ring you begin with both feet on the ground. You will stay in double support until
your right foot leaves the ground.
o Common Flaws-
Keep your right foot on the ground as long as possible. The tendency is to pick up the foot too quickly, which will
cause you to lose torque between your shoulders and hips.
BE PATIENT. You need to keep in mind that the forces you build in the back of the ring are pivotal to throwing far. If
you rush the back and try to fall into the circle to get to the throw, you will hurt your ability to throw far. Instead, try to turn over
the inside ball of the left foot and keep your hip and knee directly over your foot. When you watch from the side, your
bodyweight should not look like it is falling into the middle. Your weight should be in the back of the ring up until your right
foot gets picked up off the ground.
The Discus- your wind should be something easy and repeatable. Your goal is not to have all of your torque in the
back of the ring, but to build torque to the point of release. As a result, it is actually not necessary to have a huge windup. A
good cue would be to put your right arm behind you as far as you can physically hold it (not swinging) and then turn your
shoulders as far as you can. This is an easy wind that doesn’t require you to hold a lot of stretch in the back of the ring.
•
An Introduction to the Event
By: Andy Bloom
Grip- There are two grips that are predominantly used. The discus is set into the hand with the palm of the hand flat
against the top of the disc and the first knuckle of all the fingers wedged against the rim. The two grips that are most
common have the fingers spread wide or the index and middle fingers together. The thumb is used to control the angle of
the discus. Do NOT grab the discus. If you hold your hand parallel to the ground, the disc should fall out of your hand. The
rotational forces you generate in the ring keep the discus in your hand.
The Throw- Your goal in establishing your technique should be to come up with the simplest, most repeatable
technique possible. Your ability to throw far in big meets depends on you making the technique easy to do.
The discus throw breaks up into five phases (the following has been written for a right handed thrower):
• 1st Double Support- In the back of the ring you begin with both feet on the ground. You will stay in double support until
your right foot leaves the ground.
o Common Flaws-
Keep your right foot on the ground as long as possible. The tendency is to pick up the foot too quickly, which will
cause you to lose torque between your shoulders and hips.
BE PATIENT. You need to keep in mind that the forces you build in the back of the ring are pivotal to throwing far. If
you rush the back and try to fall into the circle to get to the throw, you will hurt your ability to throw far. Instead, try to turn over
the inside ball of the left foot and keep your hip and knee directly over your foot. When you watch from the side, your
bodyweight should not look like it is falling into the middle. Your weight should be in the back of the ring up until your right
foot gets picked up off the ground.
The Discus- your wind should be something easy and repeatable. Your goal is not to have all of your torque in the
back of the ring, but to build torque to the point of release. As a result, it is actually not necessary to have a huge windup. A
good cue would be to put your right arm behind you as far as you can physically hold it (not swinging) and then turn your
shoulders as far as you can. This is an easy wind that doesn’t require you to hold a lot of stretch in the back of the ring.
•
COACHING
LANE 5 ATHLETICS
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