Athletes in Action

THRO\VING THE JAVELIN (9) HERE, again, as in shot putting, the follow through is all-important, but it must be based upon a stiff left leg position, as shown in Fig. 9 opposite. Directly the javelin is in flight the thrower allows his muscles, except those of the left leg and abdomen, to relax. The left leg is held taut and locked at the knee to act as the fulcrum upon which the whole body swings forward in the Reverse (Fig. 10), which follows the Throw. It will be observed that the attitude of the thrower, as seen in Fig. 9, is singularly like that of a bowler who has just delivered a fast ball. In the next instant the thrower ""·ill release the hold of his left foot, and the right foot will shoot forward to a spot a few inches in rear of the scratch-line, as the left arm and left leg swing freely back. Do not forget that it is a foul to overstep the scratch-line. The position shown in Fig. 9 should be held as long as possible; it provides a fractional pause of almost suspended animation. Note that the right hand has followed through from right to left and right down to the level of the knee, that the left shoulder is kept well up and that the right shoulder has been pressed on after the flight of the javelin. On the other hand, it will not do to hold the position too long, or the subsequent shoot forward of the right foot will be of too great length and the throw will be lost by reason of the scratch- line being overstepped. Practise the holding of this position frequently, merely as a balance exercise; then begin to practise changing the position of the feet by letting the right foot come through to the front with a good knee pick-up, while the left leg swings to the rear. t-l -.......) -.......)