Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories

Discus Discussions

scroll up and down to view Discus Discussions

Table of Contents

Discus Clinic Notes: University of Iowa 3/14/99

Discus Cue 4/97

Discus Revelations 1/97

Spin-in-place 6/95

Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories

Discus Clinic Notes: University of Iowa 3/14/99

Click here for clinc notes.

Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories

Discus Cue 4/97

I talked to someone who uses the cue "lead with the TOE" when getting out of the back in the rotational events. I like it a lot; it is simple.

Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories

Discus Revelations 1/97

After much intense viewing of discus videos this past year, I have come to the following revelations:

Most good throwers:

· Have some sort of a big stretch on their windup.

· The right leg gets ahead of the discus arm right away and stays ahead throughout the throw. More specifically, the hip gets ahead of the shoulder almost immediately from out of the back of the ring.

· Get at least 180 degrees of pull at the power position, even if their non-throwing arm is in a bad position.

These were consistent for all kinds of good throwers: wide leg, run across, all kinds of idiosyncrasies. We can get hung up on some technical points, and not see the big picture. It seems if the above three things don't happen, regardless of esthetics, there may be some problems.

Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories

Spin-in-place 6/95

As I mentioned earlier, the hardest part of the discus is getting out of the back on balance. The spin-in-place is a drill I use to work on balance.
1. Begin with the athlete's regular discus windup. Things to consider with the windup:
a. Back straight
b. Eyes on the horizon
c. Arms out away from the body (90 degrees)
d. Weight should stay on the athlete's turning leg (left for righties)
e. Feet a little wider than shoulder width
f. Left leg and left arm (righties) should move together
g. Windup should not be too far or too vigorous
2. Initiate the turn as you would in a regular throw, except you will rotate 360 degrees and finish in the same position you started with, instead of going across the ring.
3. Points a-f from number 1 are in effect as you are in motion through your turn.
4. Left leg stays bent the entire time. This is a common problem.
5. Right leg stays wide. Don't bring it in! The sole of the foot should be parallel to the ground and move in a big circle around the left foot.
6. This is a hard drill! Beginners will have a hard time. Some veterans have a hard time.
7. If you get real good at it, try for more than 360 degrees.
8. Don't use left arm to initiate or lead the movement around! See point F of #1. arms are for balance, not momentum.

Norm's Throws Home * * Ramblings * * Categories