Well

[Detroitpete]

See Alan--we're Master's 'cuz we're not just older--we're wiser

[Alan H]

Alan,

At our age I'm just begining to learn that timing and recovery are becoming more important--ESPECIALLY after you get 5 or 6 games under your belt in the season. After a few games I run out of gas faster. I've had to trust myself and go in later on WOB and sheaf, because I knew I only had 4-5 good throws in me.

In-season training is GREAT for technique, but I've had to really back off the weight I use in training. My practice stone is about 14 lbs and I use it for open and Braemar. I crank the weight down on my WOB/WFD implements and hammers too. I just focus on form--maybe 4-5 throws each.

Maybe this idea might work for you????

I've got a 21 pound Braemar, and honestly, I hardly ever touch it. I spend the bulk of my stones technique time with a 12.5 pounder and a 15.5 pounder.

I'm still transitioning to the new hammer technique. Now that I think about it, in fact I stretched out more on two of my heavy hammer throws. I mean, more than I have in the past. I'm going more for radius rather than trying to shoulder-muscle it. This means that my core is getting stronger, since you need freaky core strength to pull this off. This is good, and is why I had two 64 foot heavy hammer throws.

I watched Adriane and Summer throw heavy hammer and they do not torque the thing fast at all, but do they ever have radius. Son of a gun, guess what? Summer Pierson, who weighs easily 100 pounds less than I do, and probably had less hand-speed beat me by two feet in the 16 pound hammer. She did NOT torque the hammer fast. She just had crazy-big radius. Funny thing is, I thought my two 78+ foot light hammer tosses were OK...not great, but OK anyway.

I had ten minutes to talk to Francis Brebner about hammer. What did he talk to me about? Increasing my radius.

A lesson, learned. RADIUS, not speed. The bigger the radius, well, the hammer head has to move fast to get through that arc, eh?

[Dave Ogilbee]

You use spikes at all Alan? Never tried them myself as I am still perfecting technique. Was thinking about rigging a pair together from some old boots I have, just to see what they feel like/do for my throws.

[Alan H]

You use spikes at all Alan? Never tried them myself as I am still perfecting technique. Was thinking about rigging a pair together from some old boots I have, just to see what they feel like/do for my throws.

I don't. I've seen too many people who really don't need them, wear them just "because", that I revolt. I watched John Odden throw 115+ without spikes at Enumclaw. I watched Mike Pockoski throw over 130 without spikes. Hammer boots are handy, but honestly, if you don't throw well without them, adding boots is not going to add 15 feet to your throws.

i think I'll know when I generate so much force from my throws that I can't keep my feet, and need spikes. I've made a pair, I've got them but I don't wear them.

YET.

[Dave Ogilbee]

Haha, good to hear. Was just curious on your opinion. I would think technique would come first before adding anything in anyway. I've personally not had any liftoff due to my swing, just a few errors here and there on improper form. Gonna go work on the hammer later this evening, as well as introduce a few local youngsters to Highland Games stuff. Need more recruits!