Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

HAMMER-THROWING 135 At the outset of his career the hammer-thrower in embryo must learn to swing the hammer about his head while still retaining the proper poise and balance of the body ; until this is mastered the athlete should not attempt to go any further with the throwing. The preliminary swing is carried out as follows : The thrower plants himself firmly on his feet, which should be sufficiently separated for him to feel that he has perfect control over all his movements, and can balance his body properly as it sways at the hips and resists the strain of the rotating hammer– head. · In the preliminary stance the hammer-head rests well behind and to the right side of the body; the thrower's hands, inserted into the loops (stirrup handles), are round to the side of and just above the right knee. The knees are slightly bent, and the trunk of the body turned a little to the right from the hips, which should be kept square to the front; the reason the knees are bent is that it takes less time to work up speed from this position than if the legs are held stiffly. When the thrower has got his feet quite comfortably placed, he reaches round to the right and lifts the hammer-head from the ground, starting it with a good lively effort, and swings it around the head in a wide circle, to which is given as great a radius as possible. As it is brought from rest into motion, the hammer passes outwards to the front at the full length of the arms (sketch r), then up towards the left shoulder; 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 into the body, the right shoulder is raised, and the right arm is almost parallel with the