My second competition results

**Ryan Nielson** · 24th August 08, 08:40 AM

Baker Valley Highland Games in oregon

competed as c class this time

WFH - 11 feet w/ 56lb. weight
Sheaf - 15 feet w/ 20lb. weight
Heavy Hammer - only 47'9" (fouled 2 of my good throws that were much better, maybe around 60 feet)
Light hammer - 75'3" (pretty happy with that one)
WFD heavy - 56lb. weight for 18'7"
WFD light - 28lb. weight for 40'10"
Braemar - 25lb. stone for 23'9"
Openstone - 18lb. stone for 28'7"
Caber - turned a 17 foot caber to 60 degrees, noone turned it successfully

I did ok but was not at my best, I hit better numbers than this in practice and the heavy hammer was a total disaster.

**Detroitpete** · 24th August 08, 08:54 AM

Good job! How many more for you this year?

**Ryan Nielson** · 24th August 08, 09:35 AM

about 4 more weeks there will be another one in my hometown boise that I'll do then probably no more till next year.

**mbhandy** · 24th August 08, 10:11 AM

Still I have to give you credit for trying than not to have tried at all.

MrBill

**Detroitpete** · 24th August 08, 06:21 PM

Ryan,

I've got 2 left for sure, but trying to get one in NC--but that will do it for the year. I'll have to bug ya for off-season training hints then ;-)

**Ryan Nielson** · 25th August 08, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

Ryan,

I've got 2 left for sure, but trying to get one in NC--but that will do it for the year. I'll have to bug ya for off-season training hints then ;-)

Great good luck to you. I got one video processed of my 75'3" light hammer throw here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXNr-5bLfk

**Detroitpete** · 25th August 08, 11:29 AM

Ryan,

WOW that looked TOO easy for you! I expected that typical "I'm gonna loose control" overswing on the last rotation--but you were smooth. Nice job! Hate to see what you could do with boot blades and a bit more of a lean back in your swing.

When you engage your lower body a bit more my guess is than 100 ft. plus isn't going to be a problem for you. You're basically getting as far as you are right now with JUST your upper body!

I'm sort of stuck horsing the hammers from mostly the waist up until my knee can take a bit more flex.

Good job!!!

**Ryan Nielson** · 25th August 08, 12:48 PM

Thanks, It looks a little better than the last video I took, but lots of room for improvement. I sure hope I could hit 100 eventually.

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

Ryan,

WOW that looked TOO easy for you! I expected that typical "I'm gonna loose control" overswing on the last rotation--but you were smooth. Nice job! Hate to see what you could do with boot blades and a bit more of a lean back in your swing.

When you engage your lower body a bit more my guess is than 100 ft. plus isn't going to be a problem for you. You're basically getting as far as you are right now with JUST your upper body!

I'm sort of stuck horsing the hammers from mostly the waist up until my knee can take a bit more flex.

Good job!!!

**Detroitpete** · 25th August 08, 02:12 PM

Ryan,

Check this out...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zkxdh-2cA&NR=1

and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG765FL2fmM&NR=1

See how much their lower body is involved. A guy your size and strength could REALLY do damage this way. Oldfield would sometimes finish with a 180 so he was fully facing down range--but Look at Vierra and how he counter spins with his lower body. That moment on the last rotation as the hammer is coming down to your right foot, your hips and knees would be flexing to your left, then as the hammer came to midpoint in front of you, legs and hips moving to your right. Think of digging your toes into the ground and developing 'push' with your legs at this point. When you do it right, it feels like the hammer rips out of your hands--not like you're throwing it.

I tend to focus on small form movements. I'm only 5'7" and 185 lbs. I may have some muscle, but for me, the real difference in being able to compete--is ALL in form. When my form falls apart, I've got nothing else to rely on ;-)

**Alan H** · 25th August 08, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Nielson

Great good luck to you. I got one video processed of my 75'3" light hammer throw here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXNr-5bLfk

Long arms mate... If you hit 75 feet like that, you'll break 85 feet soon.

Next practices, be thinking about getting the hammer as far out in front of you as you can. Straighten your arms, get that weight as FAR AWAY from you as you possibly can, and then get the weight as far away from you BEHIND you as you can.

radius is everything.

Then, practice with a 9 lb hammer a bit to develop speed, and really try to accelerate the last spin, and SNAP the release. The last 1/2 a spin should be on the raw edge of control as you **SNAP** the release....

and throw high! LOL

I can't say much about the other events, but hammer is my best event.....