Athletics (British Sports Library)

JAVELIN THROWING 149 The throw itself needs accurate and careful description by the author and equal painstaking practice by the athlete. An instant before the left foot takes the ground at L3 the throwing arm is bent strongly backwards over the shoulder (see Sketch D). This move– ment, combined with the subsequent upward raising F of the body, has the effect of elevating the javelin after it has left the hand. It will then, after having traversed a third of its flight, have reached the maximum height, and will lie horizontally in the air. It is of the greatest importance to remember this point. The bending of the arm over the shoulder directs the javelin close to the head (Sketch D). As the