Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACBING AND CARE OF ATHLETES feet, and as the discus drops at full arm length to its low point, which brings it into the plane of delivery, the right leg executes its thrust and the left shoulder is kept well up. The right-leg drive is taken up by the most rapid possible rota– tion ofthe hips from right to left, this movement being synchronized with the upward and forward sweep of the throwing arm from the position shown in Plate LXII, Fig. 207, to the position shown in Plate LXII, Fig. 208, in which K. Carpenter, Olympic champion in 1936, demonstrates admirably the correct spot at which the discus should leave the hand as it is put into flight, with the index finger providing the final impetus. Incidentally, the throwing spin starts from the little finger, passes across the balls of the third and second fingers, and is finally completed by the index finger. The rapidity of Kenneth Carpenter's hip rotation can be very clearly seen. N. Syllas, Greek record-holder, shows the completion of the hip rotation and the follow-through action in Plate LXII, Fig. 209, directly the discus has left the hand. The full extension of his body and the pressing up of his right shoulder should be particularly noted. Note in addition how he is holding the cross– leg position, as Hoffmeister also is doing in Plate LXII, Fig. 210, which shows the completion of the follow-through action as the right arm swings across the chest and the body goes forward and to the right. An instant later the right foot will come forward to the edge of the circle, and the left leg will swing back in relaxed reaction as the reverse is made. For the discus-thrower, as for the javelin-thrower and shot– putter, ground to the left of the line of direction is forbidden territory, both in throwing and in making the reverse. Comparative performances 'for various classes of championships held in England, in international matches, and at the Olympic Games are as follows : Public Schools All universities . Individual counties N<;>rthern District . Midland District . Southern District English A.A.A. International matches Olympic Games . 1 With a youth's size discus. FT. INS. 119 71 118 6 I I I I 17 9 112 I! 124. 5 J40 4 140 0 155 5 3 2 At the Olympic Games in 1936 K. Carpenter, U.S.A., won at 165ft. 7! ins., the next three men beat r6o ft., six men did better than 150 ft., and the eleventh and twelfth men exceeded 146 ft.