how does one begin to train for events such as these?

**KidKidneys** · 4th June 09, 09:39 AM

I need a new athletic endeavor. I'm not built like a thrower or strength athlete but events of this nature seem very fun anyways. how do you get started?

**IrishGodfather** · 4th June 09, 09:43 AM

Great question bro, i'd love to know also...Hopefully the guys on here will fil us in!

**Monkey@Arms** · 4th June 09, 09:43 AM

Did you see the "sticky" post at the top of this subforum entitled "So You Want to be an Athlete"? Its eight pages long and chock full of information and links. I would suspect you'll find a lot of your question already answered there.

Best regards,

Jake

**KidKidneys** · 4th June 09, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Did you see the "sticky" post at the top of this subforum entitled "So You Want to be an Athlete"? I suspect you'll find a lot of your question alread answered there.

Best regards,

Jake

evidently I'm unable to read non-bold text

**Frank McGrath** · 4th June 09, 10:23 AM

Lots of Guiness.

**KidKidneys** · 4th June 09, 10:44 AM

are there training "facilities" anywhere or do you folks just have at it in a large open field and homemade devices?

**Cynthia** · 4th June 09, 10:55 AM

See if you can find a group to train with. It's wonderful to be able to work with others -- they usually have some if not most of the equipment already and they know the technique to help you. Not to mention, it's fun. My husband and I had done this and were training with a great group near us. Unfortunately, due to health and some other issues, we had to put training and competing on hold.

I miss that group - great folks!

Check out the link to the NASGA website in the help thread. That's where I saw the link and decided to check it out, and then I found a group that practices near me on that board.

**Alan H** · 4th June 09, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by KidKidneys

are there training "facilities" anywhere or do you folks just have at it in a large open field and homemade devices?

That's exactly what we do. I'm lucky in that I work at Stanford University, which has a large Intramurals athletic field complex not far from my job site. There's some bare ground, oak trees for shade, and lots of grass. We throw from the grass onto to the bare ground, mostly, so as to not mess up the playing fields. I think the groundskeepers appreciate that.

Read through that thread, up there and get started. If you want to do some weight training (highly recommended, if you want to get semi-serious about it) I have a thread on this board which has some suggestions.

**KidKidneys** · 4th June 09, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

That's exactly what we do. I'm lucky in that I work at Stanford University, which has a large Intramurals athletic field complex not far from my job site. There's some bare ground, oak trees for shade, and lots of grass. We throw from the grass onto to the bare ground, mostly, so as to not mess up the playing fields. I think the groundskeepers appreciate that.

Read through that thread, up there and get started. If you want to do some weight training (highly recommended, if you want to get semi-serious about it) I have a thread on this board which has some suggestions.

I already lift like its my job (even though I'm a "thin" guy).... thats why I got interested really, I just want an outlet for all the effort I put in to it

**Alan H** · 4th June 09, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by KidKidneys

I already lift like its my job (even though I'm a "thin" guy).... thats why I got interested really, I just want an outlet for all the effort I put in to it

Highland Athletics is a really positive environment.. The guys ( and gals) are really supportive, we're all pulling for everyone to do well. you don't have to be a huge bruiser to do this stuff. Tim C is a good thrower and he's about 5' 9", 175 pounds. A couple of the new guys I'm working with are tough young bucks, but they're well under 200 pounds.

Find someone experienced to work with, at least the first half-dozen times you throw and you'll short circuit mistakes that kept me throwing at a mediocre level for my entire first season. Make up your own gear, find a buddy who wants to do this so you have a pair of eyes watching you and go to it.

And remember..YouTube is your friend! There are a million videos up there from the Pros to total amateurs that have no idea what to do. Watch the professionals closely...where to they cast the weight, what are their feet doing..etc. etc.

you CAN do this.