Modern Athletics 1868

CHAPTEE IX. THROWING THE HAMMER, AND PUTTING THE WEIGHT. SECTION I.—THROWING THE HAMMER. THIS branch of exercise has only been lately introduced sonth of the Tweed. The novice should commence prac­ tising with a lighthammer, from seven to elevenpounds, the usual one being sixteen pounds m weight, with a handle fromthree feet to three teet six inches long, accord- in"- to the height of the thrower. Great strength isre­ quired in themuscles of the backand loins, few weakmen being adepts at this pastime, orat that of putting the weight. At first, a run of four or five yards only should be taken, until the athlete has acquired the knack ol swinging the missile. The latter should be grasped firmly, and swung round like a pendulum, till a good momentum is acquired. When tins is ^omphshed a short run shouldbe made m the direction to bethrown, the hammer beingswung round in a plane at right a to the vertical position of the body. One or two fi turns of the body are taken m the run, and a final im­ petus given inthe last half ofthe last turn The throw- ino-seldom takes place froma scratch, hut the distance is usually measured from that footstep of the competitor nearest the pitch ofthe head of thehammer. In swing­ ing the missile during the run, care must be taken to keep it low, otherwise the curve described ui its flight through the air wilble too high. SECTION TI.—PUTTING THE WEIGHT. This also is an innovation from across the border. The amount of run allowed always ought to be halted to seven feet, and no "follow" permitted, sothe athlete mav not pass either of the lines drawn seven feet apart, during the process of putting. The body should be