Athletics (British Sports Library)

HAMMER THROWING 181 The hammer-head is lifted sharply with a strong, steady pull and passes to the front at the full length of the arms. When the hands are level with and in front of the point of the left shoulder the upper part of the left arm is pressed close to the body, the right shoulder is raised and the right arm almost parallel to the ground; the weight of the body being borne by the right leg, and the whole body swaying from the hips to resist the pull of the hammer-head. The hands are raised up and over and well to the back of the head, the shaft of the hammer travelling almost parallel to the ground, while the body leans forward to resist the backward pull. As the hammer-head begins to descend, for the completion of the first preliminary swings, the hands travel round until they are at the right side of the head (Sketch 2). The left upper arm now lies diagonally across the face and then the right arm presses into the body while the trunk is still twisted to the right, just as the weight of the body passes from right to left leg. The arms should again be given their full extension as the hammer comes to the front of the body and the athlete leans back to resist the pull. Three such preliminary swings usually precede the turn, or the standing throw ; but they must not be made too fast, otherwise the hammer will get ahead of the body when the turn is made and