Athletes in Action

THRO\\ ING THE J.\\-ELI:\ (4) \YHILE the throwing position is being gained, as shown in Fig. 4 opposite, the thrm,·ing arm is rotated backwards-i.e. it is turned from left to right-on the axis of the shoulder. This is the first movement to·wards bringing the hand "\vell behind the shoulder for the throw. The head remains turned in the direction of the throw. This turning of the arm movement has the effect of raising the javelin shaft a little through its entire length. As the left leg begins to come through the body is allowed to sink a little. Practise this transition movement, combined \vith the backward rotation of the thro·wing arm, with a light forward spring from the left foot to begin with. You will now need to put down your second check-mark, which should be about 8 ft. to 9 ft. short of the scratch-line. The mastering of the phase portrayed in Figs. I to 3 will have given you the ability to hit the first check-mark with your left foot when travelling at full speed. You must no\v aim to so combine the actions sho\\"n in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 that your left foot spring from the first check-mark (14 ft. to 16 ft. behind the scratch-line) will carry you forward to a right-foot landing on the second check-mark (8 ft. to 9 ft. short of the scratch-line). This requires only a short spring of some 5 ft. to 6 ft., but a lot of power must be got into it, so that the momentum generated in the approach run is not sacrificed. Figs. 4 and 5 give an excellent idea of the way in ,,·hich the hand holds the javelin. N C'l '-l