Looking for OverHead Swing on WFD.

**BigMikeLV** · 2nd March 10, 01:54 PM

So a Friend of mine told me about this overhead Swing that Harrison Baily III did. I was interested. I tried it and Wow... worked great for me. I was wondering if anyone has heard of this or if they know of a video of it?

**Alan H** · 2nd March 10, 04:43 PM

I've tried it and had mixed results. However, Harrison did do it for a long time, though he doesn't do it this way any more. Mindy Pockoski did it for a while, as well. Harrison is probably the flat-out fastest Pro male thrower out there right now, which is why it worked for him.

The best women throw really fast. I think in part that's because they are so strong compared to the weights they throw. I mean, Adriene Blewitt squats more than I do, even though she only weighs about 175. If you watch video of the women, they just progress through the throw a LOT faster than the men do. Anything that contributes to speed for them, helps. Harrison, being the fastest male thrower, used to work the same way. I notice that he now throws LWFD the same way, basically that most other guys do.

Watch Mindy here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXUmG3zcnik

Harrison....about the 4th athlete to throw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwQvJ56_Fmw

Also, Scott does it.....this is how I used to try it, wind it around over my head twice, and team that up with a single spin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRY6Qh82rnI

I've recommended that a couple of my guys who are small and wicked fast try this technique. Nobody has really committed time to it, yet but if you are really quick on your feet, it might be worth a significant investment in time to figure it out.

**Detroitpete** · 2nd March 10, 05:04 PM

I see some manics--umm I mean fellow competitors use this for WOB when spins are allowed too. I personally tend toward conserving as much energy as possible

**BigMikeLV** · 2nd March 10, 05:16 PM

I'm not overly fast but I cant seem to get the full 720 spin right. I start Left foot first in the box with my right foot at the back of the box and only do a quick 360+ spin. I tried the overhead last weekend and it worked great. I got much more momentum. I'll try to bring out the tripod this week and get it on tape.

**Alan H** · 2nd March 10, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

I see some manics--umm I mean fellow competitors use this for WOB when spins are allowed too. I personally tend toward conserving as much energy as possible

Even Harrison...who has shoulders like an ox, never did the overhead with the 56'er for WOB. I can't even imagine trying that. Holy cow....

Once, in a flurry of hubris, I tried it with the 42'er for distance.

Once.

I can get pretty good results with 20 lbs, even 22 doing the overhead. But 28 is *just* a little too much, though now that I have some more horsepower in my shoulders from this past winter in the gym, it might be worth my while to try it again.

**Alan H** · 2nd March 10, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by BigMikeLV

I'm not overly fast but I cant seem to get the full 720 spin right. I start Left foot first in the box with my right foot at the back of the box and only do a quick 360+ spin. I tried the overhead last weekend and it worked great. I got much more momentum. I'll try to bring out the tripod this week and get it on tape.

Good! Hey if it works, don't knock it! I'd love to see video.

**Detroitpete** · 3rd March 10, 06:56 AM

I'm actually thinking about it for the LWFD. My spins are coming--but very slowly because of the shreaded knee. I tried this a few times last year and I think it gets my momentum built faster. Speed + 'horse'power = distance, right?

I competed against Harvey Barkauskas---um, yeah ..I KNOW...Zeus...and he uses the damned overhead spin for WOB and WFD! SOOOOO much fun to compete against guys like that!

**jgorley** · 3rd March 10, 12:33 PM

Keep in mind that HB3 doesn't do this any more, as far as I have seen. Mainly because it was partial cause for his shoulder surgery. Even the 28 puts a lot of strain on the shoulder joint, and all ist parts!! 99% of the time I see people try this, it ends up quite dangerously and the judge usually stops the athlete on the second try.

**Alan H** · 3rd March 10, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

I'm actually thinking about it for the LWFD. My spins are coming--but very slowly because of the shreaded knee. I tried this a few times last year and I think it gets my momentum built faster. Speed + 'horse'power = distance, right?

I competed against Harvey Barkauskas---um, yeah ..I KNOW...Zeus...and he uses the damned overhead spin for WOB and WFD! SOOOOO much fun to compete against guys like that!

Harvey overhead spins the 42'er??/ Holy Cow! I'd *never* do that. I value my shoulders too much.

**Detroitpete** · 4th March 10, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Harvey overhead spins the 42'er??/ Holy Cow! I'd *never* do that. I value my shoulders too much.

Yes--that maniac Zues does the overhead swing with a spin for the 42 WOB! I was on the field with him in Saline and he saw the look of complete awe on my face--pulled me over to the side and said, "since your arms and shoulders are so puney, I'd take a few advil and a brewskie before I did that, if I were you". Gotta love getting a schoolin' AND having your chops busted at the same time!