Why? The Science of Athletics

242 WHY?-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS left foot (L I) is resting a little beyond and to the right of the direction line. But as the right arm swings back p:r:eparatory to the commencement of the turning move– ment (Fig. 72, Plate I7) the left foot is shifted back on to the line of direction (L2, Fig. 68). The athlete then revolves a half-turn on the ball of the left foot (Fig. 73, Plate I7), taking care to keep his weight disposed well over the grounded leg. The right foot is then placed down across the direction line (R2, Fig. 68). Should he put his foot down to the right of the line he will cramp his actual (hR[CTION IHC throwing action badly and the discus will probably fall outside the go degree sector. Should he put his foot down to the left of the line he will get off balancf' during the turn, and his body will come back instead of all his -weight going into the throw. The revolution on the right FIG. 68 foot at R2 constitutes a 3/4 turn so that the left foot may be put down in the throwing position, R2 L3, at an angle of 20 degrees to the line of direction. This throwing position, with the foot angle of 20 degrees, is excellently shown in Fig. 74, Plate I 7. The "walk-:like" attitude of the legs is par– ticularly noteworthy. The attainment of the 20 degrees foot placement enables the thrower to dispatch the missile with a full sweep of the right arm and complete follow through of the right shoulder as shown in Fig. 75, Plate I7, although the body should be more "on to its work" and not be leaning back. The placing down of the left foot in _the throwing position 20 degrees to the left of the line of direction enables the athlete to dispose the discus in the proper position (Fig. 74, Plate 1 7) for dispatch at the correct angle of flight (Fig. 75, Plate I7), which, unlike that of any other missile, is about 30 degrees, or I 5 degrees less