Athletics (British Sports Library)

SHOT PUTTING 173 body have supported the put from beneath. Sketch c shows the completed reverse, a position the athlete will hold until the shot has struck the ground. His right foot is now at R3, Sketch D. The novice will find that he has a tendency to thrust the shot away from him on a path slightly to the right. This inclination must be checked and the put effected straight out in front of the shoulder. It is equally necessary that the body, arms, and legs should support the delivery and the whole of the body weight go into the put, by pressing the shoulder quickly and forcibly upwards and forwards after the shot (Sketch 10), so that the force from the legs is continued in a straight line upwards and forwards. Before he can hope to attain proficiency in this event, the novice must be prepared to build up his actual shot put from a standing position, as shown in Sketches B and 6 to c inclusive, and to master the glide across the circle as something entirely separate. (Sketches 1 to 6 inclusive.) For the standing put the athlete assumes the position shown in Sketch A. He then sinks down with a round and back swing to the position shown in Sketch B. From that attitude he heaves the body up strongly and delivers the shot as shown in Nos. 6 to 10, including the reverse (Sketches 10 and c). Particular care should be taken that the