Track Athletics in Detail (extract)

THROWING THE HAMMER 73 petitor may assume any position he pleases, but lie mustnot step outside of this circle. In a con­ test each competitor is allowedthree throws, and the best three men in the first trial are allowed three more throws. The measurement of a throw is made from the nearest edge of the first mark made by theedge of the hammer to thepoint of the circumference of the circlenearest this mark. There are three kinds of fouls in hammer throw­ ing, which are not measured, but which count against the competitor as throws. They are: letting go of the hammer in an attempt; touch­ ing the ground outside the circle with any por­ tion of the body while the hammer is in hand; or touchingthe ground forward of the front half of the circlewith any portion of the body before the throw is measured. The principal thing for a beginner to realizeis that it is necessary to assume the easiest possible position when at workwith the hammer, so as to give the muscles the fullest play. When the ham­ mer is thrown around the head it should be kept as far as possible from the body;the arms should not be bent nor the muscles tightened, and the shoulders should be allowed to move as easily as possible. This ease of m vement of c urse may only be obtained after long and assiduous prac­ tice ; and it is onlyfair to say at the start that pro­ ficiency in throwing the hammer comes from long rather than from frequent practice. The most