Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACHING AND CARE OF ATHLETES l::omplete turn= 2 ft. plus 5 ft.=7 ft., which is the diameter of the circle. It has been said, moreover, that the application of a pull is applied to the hammer on the downward path of the head of the implement, which postulates an unequal distribution of force, and it has been explained that one cannot accelerate the speed of the hammer-head while it is rising. When the hammer-head has risen to its highest point during the turn, while the athlete is facing the direction in which the throw will ultimately be made (Plate LVIII, Fig. I94), the speed of the turn is accelerated so that the body gets ahead of the hammer (Plate LVII, Fig. I88), and the renewed pull on the hammer commences (Fig. I89), and is continued until the hammer– head is in front of the right foot (Fig. I90). This completes the pulling phase in each turn. From the position in which the hammer-head is low down in front of the body (Fig. I9I), swinging from the position in Fig. I90 to that in Fig. I92, the hammer-head begins to rise by its own momentum (Figs. I92-I93), so that the athlete's body may be said to be following the hammer-head until it reaches its highest point (Fig. I94), when the athlete again speeds up the turn to get ahead of the hammer in preparation for the pull in the next turn. If all the preliminary movements, both in swinging and turning, are not carried out perfectly the thrower will lack power when he comes to make the delivery. At the end of three turns he should find himself with both feet on the ground, knees slightly bent, and hammer off the right hip. The throw is made by increasing the pull on the hammer and simultaneously extending the- whole body in one harmonious movement as the arms whip the hammer up from the right, across the body (Plate LIX, Fig. I96), and away over the left shoulder (Plate LIX, Fig. I97). This action swings the thrower into a tiptoe, cross-legged position, which enables him to watch the missile in flight, but is of such tension that he is forced to release the grip of his spikes, thus changing the position of the feet. Hammer-throwing technique is very difficult to master on ac– count of the speed at which the turning movements are made and the tremendous pull of the rotating hammer-head, which the ·thrower must resist by the proper disposition in balance of the mass of his body. None the less the technique must be practised .until style becomes at least semi-automatic, for the man who is 426