56lb. weight experience

[Ryan Nielson]

Since I competed novice last time I never had to do any practice with this enormous weight. I have done tons of practice with the 28lb. weight and hoped it would pay off for the 56lb. Yesterday tried the 56lb. for the first time. I fell down in the dirt about 3 or 4 times, about the 5th try I finally got a legal throw in without it slipping out of my hands or falling down and it only went a puny 20 feet. I finally figured out I have to slow my turns down quite a bit to keep it under control or I'll fall down every time. Any other ideas on this? Also someone told me NOT to wear cleated shoes with the 56lb. weight, is that true?

[Detroitpete]

The 56# weighs more than 30% of my total body weight ;-) so when I toss it I'm usually just glad that when the dust settles my fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder, lats and scrotum are all still intact and located somewhat close to their original starting position.

That said, I've tried working 3 practice throws in each practice session to make sure I can at least sling the thing. What I've found that works for me is to lower my center of gravity and widen my base--think football linebacker stance, with butt out and back arched. It's made my rotation slower but a lot more controlled. It also helps me make it around to the release at a point where I can use my legs to explode into the toss.

I figure if that works for a fire-plug like me (5'7", 195)--maybe it will help bigger guys too. I've seen guys stand too straight on this and their feet can easily get tangled--especially if they're a bit wore out. "Weak legs equals a weak throw" is what my old High School track coach used to say.

[Ayin McFye]

I have unfortuantely (fortunately?) not thrown a 56lb yet. We have a 40 lb heavy weight for distace but that's it. Difference between the 25 and the 40lbs is only 15 pounds obviously but the amount of force it generates and the potential it has to throw you around dramatically increases.

For the LWD I use two spins, but for the HWD I just go for one. It's just too much weight for me to do a double spin with. I definitely agree with your assessment though of drastically slowing down with the heavier weights and just focusing on holding on to it, and releasing it without falling to the ground. The form and distance will hopefully eventually follow with enough practice.

[jgorley]

Twenty feet on the 56#wfd is not a bad throw. I won the Enumclaw B division with a 24'1" throw. After the initial cast and the weight hits the low point really jerk your shoulder in the opposite direction to snap the weight into the second rotation. You really need to lean into it to keep balanced. I also start with my feet almost perpendicular to the field, kind of almost like I am halfway done with my first spin. This helps my initial spin. With the big weight my feet kind of stick to the ground and don't want to spin. Starting this way ends with me hips open to the field.

[Ryan Nielson]

That sounds like good info there. I am actually going to practice this some more. I threw it for 21 the other day so I expect I can get a few more feet out of it with some more practice at least. Too many throws and it may physically destroy me though so I'll have to limit the work on that. I'm also guessing my brother who seems to do better than me on this also outweighs me by about 70lbs. so there's probably quite a bodyweight advantage on this event.

[pdcorlis]

I'm no expert - I don't even play one on TV but I've always believed technique trumps brute physical force every time. Make sure you pay attention to your biomechanics first and foremost.

[Alan H]

I've been using two spins on my 42 lb and I only actually beat my one-spin distance about one time in four. So I'm going to back off to one spin on the 42'er and try to get that better for a while...THEN move back up to the two-spins.

There's a HUGE difference in the spin for the 28 and the 56, though. The 56' kicks my hiney every time I try it.