So you've decided to try this throwing thing...

[Alan H]

My advice to cats/kittens just starting out is:

1. find someone who has some gear and maybe at least a full season of experience, and hit 'em up for a practice session. If they've been throwing for years and years, all the better. Most everybody will agree to help you....if they don't, then ask them for the name of someone else who *will* help you. Try throwing their stuff. It will be hard, but did you have fun?

2. If the answer to #1 is yes, then come back and work with them at least 3-4-5 more times. VERY IMPORTANT...do NOT..I emphasize do NOT stand them up. Do NOT "no-show". They are taking their time to help you, so be responsible. If something "comes up" and you have to miss a session, then that's what cell phones are for. An apology for a missed session almost makes up for missing it but don't do it twice. Just DON'T.

3. Make your own gear. It doesn't have to be fancy. Stacked plates on a PVC handle for a hammer, a cantaloupe-sized river rock for a stone, stacked dumbell plates (look at Craigslist) on plumbing parts, or plates dropped over a 1-inch bolt ....drill the bolt, shackle-chain-handle will get you started. Look at the first stickied thread here on X Marks for gear ideas. Throw that stuff. A lot. Do this on your own. Most people will be happy to help you get started, and happy to have group workouts now and then, but you...and they... HAVE to put in alone-time to get this stuff figured out. So put in your time.

For a caber, find a straight stick out in the woods that's 12-16 feet long. Bark it, sand the bottom few feet smooth, and round off the small end so that it doesn't mess up your hands. if you can't find that, then go down to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy a 12 or 14 foot long 6 x 6. Trim the corners off with a circular saw so it's an octagon instead of a square, in cross-section. Round off the bottom. Sand the dickens out of the bottom six feet. Now go throw it. If that's easy, then go get a 16 foot 6 x 6 and do the same thing. If you can flip that at will, then you're a beast and you will do great. If you're a woman and/or not super strong, then get a 14 foot long 4 x 4, sand it, smooth off the bottom and start throwing it.

4. YouTube is your friend. Watch videos of the pro's until you go blind. Craig Smith has a bucketload of video's online, I think I've watched 'em all about twenty times. If you get hooked, there are DVD's you can buy that are helpful.

5. Go work out in the gym. Do a wide variety of stuff. Read what I've written and what Kit does. Kit has done this foolishness for *years*, he knows what works for him, and something like it will probably work for you. If you don't have access to a gym, or you can't afford the membership then go do push-ups...sit-ups....leg lifts....planks.... Make a slosh tube (look on youtube) from PVC pipe and water.... get a 50 or 75 pound sandbag at Lowes or Home Depot and wrap the crap out of it with duct tape, or duct tape around some contracters heavy-duty plastic so the sand won't leak out.. Now pick that thing up off the ground and lift it over your head until you can't do it any more. Carry it up stairs and go fast until your legs cry for mercy. Hold it to your chest...squat down as far as you can go while holding your back straight. Now stand up again...repeat until it HURTS. Go down to the high school track and bunny-hop the stadium steps and do suicides on the field. Do you live near the coast? Then go down to the beach and run sprints in the sand. That'll kick your ***. Do you live in Minnesota? Then put on snowshoes and haul the kids around in a sled. *All* of that is next to free...the slosh pipe will cost less than ten bucks, ditto for the sandbag. Do all or most of that maybe 3 x a week for month and IMHO most people will have achieved a level of overall fitness that should keep them from getting hurt on the field.

6. After doing all that... buy or make a kilt (you've got one already, right? This is X Marks the SCot, after all), sign up for a Games and show everybody what you've got goin' on. Look, YOU will be on the "action" side of the fence. All those other people will be watching YOU. Life is good.


After you do all that, if you are still convinced that this is the best thing since sliced bread, then start worrying about the specifics of exactly which training regime will get you where you want to go. Check NASGA for weight training advice, but keep in mind that a whole, whole lot of guys on NASGA are kind of meatheads and LOVE LOVE LOVE lifting big in the gym. There's more than one way to skin this cat.

Keep in mind that there are A.) totally gung-ho throwers who work their butts off all year long training and throwing and throwing some more...... and B.) there are throwers who like to stay fit so they exercise regularly, they strap on a kilt a couple of times a year and get on the field. Some of those in Group (A) tend to kind of look down on those in group B).. Not me. Hey, you're not gonna get rich at this, nor are you going to get famous. There will not be a major movie studio contract in this for you, I promise. Like my friend Kelly says...."We're throwing rocks and sticks"..... So get ahold of a big dose of reality, set your own goals, and work towards them. Treat people right, and have fun.

Just my two cents.

[Detroitpete]

Alan--you've nailed it. The only thing I'd add is: don't be a jerk. If you're the kind of guy who screams and yells when you golf, making the day's walk completely painful for the rest in your foursome--you're not right for Heavy Athletics. If you 'hate' your competition and can't take one bit of constructive advice, you're not right for Heavy Athletics.

This is the ONLY sport I know of where you can REALLY want to beat the scores of your competitors, but they'll give you form tips. You want to beat them, they want to beat you, you want to beat your personal records---BUT...these same guys will give you the shirt off their backs or the kilt off their waist.

Jerks last about 2 games. If you enjoy the brotherhood and sisterhood of throwing--wanna meet some of the best people around and have a greatly spirited competition--you're right for Heavy Athletics and you'll last as long as your body does. Or in my case, a wee bit longer.

[KiltedDixon]

I love this sport. Its all about reaching your PRs with the help of a great bunch of people. No egos. You will not get better if you cannot except and apply constructive criticism. This is truly a great group to throw and and spend time with....and you do get to wear the Kilt.