Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

HAMMER-THROWING 137 fore it is obvious that the greater the radius, the greater the circumference and the larger the path is through which it must travel. Now, supposing the time taken to describe a 40-foot circumference be 6 seconds, if the radius be increased and a circum– ference of 45 feet be described in the same time, it naturally follows that the velocity of the hammer must be greater. As the distance thrown entirely depends on the velocity at which the hammer leaves the hands, it will easily be seen that there must be a distinct a4vantage in a greater radius. It is usual to swing the hammer around the head three times before commencing to turn, and this preliminary swing must not, at first, be tried to fast; even the experienced thrower will make his first swing only at a moderate pace, the second one fairly fast, and the· third one at top speed to generate momentum for the turn. The novice is advised to take his swinging quite steadily, until he can be sure of swinging the hammer really fast, while at the same time swaying the trunk of the body from the waist in unison with the whole movement, and still retaining his balance. Having mastered the swing, the novice may try a throw from a standing position; but before this is done it is necessary to point out the importance of "following through." Most men know how important it is in billiards to follow through with the cue after the ball has been struck, and the same may be said of cricket and golf, when the bat or club must be allowed to complete the swing after the ball has passed on its flight from the impact. The reason such a strong point is made of "following through " is that the act of following