A better glide in the shot put.

One of the original events of the modern Olympic Games--going back to 1896--the shot put looks much the same as it did when an American named Robert Garrett won the first gold medal in the event with a put of 36 feet, 9 inches.

It took another 42 years for our Olympic powers-that-be to believe that the women of the world were ready to compete in the event. Not with a 16 pound iron ball, but with an 8 lb., 13 ounce replica. The first woman to win a gold medal in an Olympics was Madeline Ostermeyer of France, with a put of 49 ft., 1 1/2 in., in 1948.

Practically all the changes that have occurred in the shot put have to do with the development of strength through the cultivation of the momentum, speed, body mass, and particularly, weight training.

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The key technique in generating momentum across the circle remains the glide. Its specific purpose is to place the athlete in the power position--the position that will allow the athlete to transfer her maximum energy into the shot.

It is characterized by a bent right leg with the ball of the foot touching down underneath the hip at or near the center of the circle and the shoulders remaining square to the back of the circle.

The positioning may be enhanced by focusing the eyes on the back of the circle and having the left foot touch down almost simultaneously with the right foot in a heel-to-toe alignment--the left toe aligning with the right heel.

Drills play an important role in the development of basic skills, regardless of the sport. The following drills have proved useful to us in teaching young athletes the glide method of shot putting. All of the techniques that follow are for a right-handed thrower.

A-DRILL

This drill helps the athlete learn to use her legs properly to initiate the glide and generate momentum across the circle. From a crouched position, the athlete starts the drill by "unseating"--allowing herself to lose balance. She must then forcefully extend her right leg forward while simultaneously driving her left leg back. When the extension of both legs is complete, only the ball of the right foot and left toe will be in contact with the circle.

BOX GLIDES

The athlete executes a glide off an elevated (6-8 inch) platform or box. She initiates it in the same fashion as in the A-Drill, but with the athlete landing in the power position. Doing this drill from an elevated platform will give the beginner time to execute the whole movement.

COUGAR DRILL

Have the athlete assume a power position on a low balance beam, pushing off with the power leg while reaching back with the block leg and pulling the power foot back underneath the tip to get back into the power position.

This drill should be done from each side. It is a great way with which the young thrower can develop balance.

SURGICAL TUBE DRILL

The athlete ties one end of a piece of surgical tube to her ankle and ties the other end to the ankle of a partner or an immoveable object such as a fence post.

The athlete must perform a glide and hit the power position, concentrating on pulling her right foot underneath her hip and stretching the tubing. This drill is excellent for helping the athlete develop the all-important ability to pull the right foot under the hip.

BOX DRILLS

Right (back) Foot. The athlete places her right foot on a box (8-12 inches high) and assumes a standing shot-put position. During the put, she must stay over the right leg. This will force her to use the right leg correctly.

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Left (front) Foot. With the box placed against the stop-board, the athlete places her left foot on the box, assumes a standing shot-put position, and finishes on top of the box. This drill not only puts emphasis on the turning of the right leg, but on the left leg lift as well. This will enable the shot putter to finish the throw tall.

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BLOCKING DRILL

This is a drill that will help the athlete learn to stop the left side or block. Blocking is a critical component in successful shot putting, as the stoppage of the left side of the body will speed up the right side, thereby increasing the speed of the release.

The athlete assumes a power position, while a coach stands off to the left and slightly behind the thrower while holding a football arm shield. The athlete will execute a standing throw and pull her blocking-side arm down and back, forcefully hitting the arm shield. The tactile feedback the athlete receives from hitting the shield will help her learn the all-important skill of blocking.

There are many other very good drills for the shot putters. I have chosen the accompanying sequence, working from the initiation of the glide to its throw and finish. It has been instrumental in helping many of our young throwers improve.

By Don Boggis, Assistant Track & Field Coach, Hollis Brookline High School, Hollis, NH