Triskaidekaphobia - Joshua's Training

**Joshua** · 31st March 13, 09:14 AM

Hate to flip/flop on throwing styles, but today I did glide because I wasn't feeling it on the spin, and consistently threw 31-33 feet as opposed to high 20's on the spin.

Threw the 28 quite a bit today, getting over 40 on every throw.

Hammer was where I made big improvements in form. I've not been throwing over 50' consistently with my plate-loaded hammer. Today I didn't throw under 50 once. I'm finally opening up at the finish, I need to open more but it's getting there... and my speed on winding is MUCH better thanks to changing my start (which a lot of people won't like but it just works better for me so they can sod it).

**Martin Roy** · 31st March 13, 09:25 AM

You aren't alone with that method of starting the hammer, Josh. I've seen a few guys use that same move in competition. If it feels comfortable, go for it.

**Joshua** · 31st March 13, 01:12 PM

I'm still not looking up on release and I'm letting go prematurely - I need to release higher. I'm still happy with my acceleration improvements.

**Martin Roy** · 31st March 13, 07:18 PM

fwiw: The low point on your wind is over your left foot which limits your final pull. Think about catching the hammer on the right side as far back as possible; this will require you to turn your shoulders to your right and look for the catch. Then keep the low point of the wind over your right foot, or slightly further to the right. On your final wind you will have a longer pull and lift.

**Alan H** · 3rd April 13, 11:26 AM

...what Marty just said.

regarding starting your hammer winds...do what works for you. We have a masters athlete here in Nor Cal who starts somewhat like you dol, and the current world Champ, Matt Vincent also starts like you do. So no worries.

glide vs. rotational stone.... if you're brutally strong and incredibly fast, the glide will probably work better for you. If you're a "technical" thrower, then the rotational stone will probably go farther. If you're a dork like me, then a shuffle will work better.

The thing about the rotational throw is that when you totally nail it, *Really* learn the technique then the rock will probably go farther than if you do the other styles. However, there's a lot less margin for error in the rotational throw. If you're a little bit off, you're scr3w3d. --> not so much with a glide or shuffle. Also take into account that rotational shotputters have to learn ONE event...rotational shotput, though they do a million standing throws (Braemar) too. You, on the other hand, have to learn shotput (stones) AND hammers AND weights AND wob AND sheaf AND caber.

KISS always seemed like the appropriate principle, here, and this is coming from a many-year discus thrower, which is a rotational throw.

**Joshua** · 6th April 13, 01:08 PM

Yeah I'm going to glide (well, more of a hybrid between a glide and a shuffle) on Saturday.

So, one week out, and I had a very productive day in the gym. I'll be nice and tired tomorrow for my throwing practice, which means on game day, when fresh, I'll knock it out of the park (old weightlifter logic, wear yourself down one week out and make your openers when beat up, so when you are fresh your openers feel like marshmallows).

Hit a clean and jerk of 117.5kg / approx 260lbs
Hit a backsquat of 2x185kg / approx 410lbs

**Joshua** · 7th April 13, 11:02 AM

Well last night after lifting I ended up marching at our Military Tattoo representing Clan Davidson. From 7:00 until 10:30 I was on my feet. Then we went to the pub, which was so packed I had to stand at the bar to eat my dinner and drink a couple beers. When I woke up this morning I felt like a squashed cat... and then I went to go throw.

Nothing to write home about. Got some pointers on hammer and hit over 60 twice, just by keeping it over my right foot more. I still need to open up.

Threw 56 and while I didn't foul, didn't get any major big numbers (19' to 22' and everything in between). Fouled a lot on the 28. No clue why. Just wasn't feeling it today.

Got a good 70* crank on a caber.

Threw the stone well though. Got a 32' throw with a 16' stone.

I'm just tired. I'm going to do some light throwing on Tuesday and Thursday before Dunedin... all form work just to stay loose for the week - and stay out of the weightroom.