Athletics of To-Day 1929

Throwing the Javelin 26! The javelin has about the centre of gravity a whipcord binding r6 centimetres (6.3 inches) broad with a circumference not exceeding 2 5 millimetres (. 984 inches) . By this binding the thrower is required to hold the weapon, which, of course, has a sharp steel head. The first thing the novice must learn is how to hold the javelin. This hold is of great importance. The whipcord binding must lie diagonally across the hand, passing over the root of the index finger and the centre of the heel of the hand. Sketch A in Fig. 27 shows the javelin resting in the correct position on the palm of the open hand. When the hand is closed, as in Sketch B, the last joints of the thumb and fore-finger must grip the back edge of the binding. In fact the last joint of the index finger is actually behind th binding, pressing against the wooden shaft ; the other fingers hold the binding but do not grip it. Th y are so disposed ~ to pre nt the point of ~===:::l'(;IIIIWlDilfi~Cc===== the jav lin from tipping up and to give the weapon ir ction. The manage– FIG. 27. m nt of the second, third, and fourth fingers is both difficult an important. They must relax th ir grip as the throw is mad , so that the force of d livery comes from the thumb and index finger pu h and the final palm lift. If the three r maining fingers are not raised as shown in Sketch C, the jav lin \ ill be bent into a whipping flight and may actually be pulled downwar s instead of being given its proper elevation in flight. At the same time the fingers must not relinquish their directional control too soon, or the head of the javelin will cant up before the weapon leaves the hand, and it will not fly