Getting into power position

**Alan H** · 22nd September 08, 03:16 PM

Something I picked up from watching the professionals at Pleasanton is that one of the key things in the weights for distance is .....however you get there.....the whole point of the first turn is to get into the "power position" with the weight moving. The differences between the different pros in the first turn were pretty large, but they all got into that magical "spot" at very nearly the same place...

weight a little behind you, on your right foot
right foot has replaced the left foot position at the back of the trig
shoulders cranked back, weight moving in the largest possible arc
long, long. long arms
head up
balanced

HOW you get there seems unimportant, though getting there smoothly makes good sense. What seems to be paying off right now is me doing a bunch of drills on working on slowing down the first turn so that I move (only) my feet quickly and land in that power position. There's no need to do the overall rotation fast, just GET THERE with the weight moving steadily and the arms all the way extended.

My rotten throws now are 38 feet, I regularly put them down at 39-40 and every workout have 3-4 throws that are 42 feet +. If I don't rush this, just take it slow and easy, I bet I'm gonna see a 40+ throw at Ben Lomond.....and that would be sweet.

I'm also fairly regularly clearing, with room to spare.. a branch at the park that is about 12' 6" with my 42 lb WOB, so I'm thinking that seeing 13 again is very much in the realm of reality.

Think POSITIVE.

Now I just gotta get those stones in shape.

**fudgeman** · 22nd September 08, 03:50 PM

Keep up the good work!

**jgorley** · 22nd September 08, 03:56 PM

A great drill to practice getting to the power position is as follows:

Set up for a throw. Make your initial cast with the first turn. Accelerate the weight on the down stroke. Release the weight into the ground when it hits the low point. You really want to drive the weight into the ground. Pay close attention to your body position. Hold your position after the release and analyze it. Are you in the power position? Are you balanced? It helps if you can get some video. Then you can compare each turn and see if you are being consisitent.

I do this drill about 10 times before I even take a throw. Let me know if it helps.

James

**Ryan Nielson** · 23rd September 08, 08:07 AM

On light WFD I am stuck around 40 foot with every single throw and haven't improved in months, one time I threw one at 48 and could never figure out what I did on that throw that was different. I've got to try that drill your talking about.

**Alan H** · 24th September 08, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by jgorley

A great drill to practice getting to the power position is as follows:

Set up for a throw. Make your initial cast with the first turn. Accelerate the weight on the down stroke. Release the weight into the ground when it hits the low point. You really want to drive the weight into the ground. Pay close attention to your body position. Hold your position after the release and analyze it. Are you in the power position? Are you balanced? It helps if you can get some video. Then you can compare each turn and see if you are being consisitent.

I do this drill about 10 times before I even take a throw. Let me know if it helps.

James

I LIKE this....thanks!