A Greek statue, dating back to the original Olympics, shows a discus thrower ready to deliver his implement. Although history tells us the implement was 3-4 times heavier than the modern day discus, athletes use the same basic slinging delivery today. This event is familiar to many and easily identifiable in the US because of Al Oerter's 4 consecutive Gold Medals in the Olympics. Where can we start to develop the technique to throw the discus? Unlike the jumps, there is a need to work on the finish in conjunction with other parts of the throw to insure the discus actually gets out of an athlete s hand. The throw itself can be broken down into the Stand, the Step and Turn, the South African and the Full Throw. This breakdown comes from John Powell another elite US thrower. Lets start with the grip and delivery before moving into the stand. The Grip Bowling- Hold the discus as described above, take a step forward with your left (for right handers), bend at the waist, hips and knees and roll the discus forward. If done correctly, the discus should roll upright on its edge. Standing Releases - Start holding the discus at arm's length a little in front of hip while standing. Move the arm upward and release the discus from the index finger, catch it in the same hand and repeat. Once this is mastered athletes can swing the discus and release it higher either catching or letting the discus land before repeating the drill. The Stand (Assume Right Handed Thrower for Reminder of Article) During the stand an athlete winds the discus into delivery position and delivers it. From the ground up key areas for the stand are Feet wider than shoulder width with an instep to toe relationship for the right and left feet. Line up with shoulders square to the back of the circle (same as a full throw start). Right foot will be in the center of the ring closer to the front of the ring. Right toe will aim about 90 degrees away from the front of the ring. Left toe will aim at right instep. Discus should be wound once and put over the athlete's right shoulder. Virtually all body weight will be on the right foot. Initiate action by turning both feet to get body weight over the left leg. Feet should continue to turn until right ankle is near the ground and discus is delivered. Left arm action will start long and continue until hand is aiming in the direction of the throw. At this point, bend the arm and bring the elbow to the left side of the body. Ultimately this action should be well timed and occur together with the bracing of the entire left side (shoulder to foot). This is commonly referred to as blocking. The right side will then accelerate around the stopped left side transferring momentum to the discus. Standing Throw Variations/Drills Figure 8 Stand- Start lined up like above drill but with discus hanging near right leg. Begin moving the discus in a Figure 8 pattern over and under the shoulder. If done correctly the pattern will be vertical. Master this drill without throwing before adding the throw. To add the throw, have the athlete finish winding the upper part of the pattern and deliver it like above. Stepping Stand- Have the athlete start with both feet near the center of the ring with discus supported by the left hand above and away from the left shoulder. Simultaneously wind the discus to the right shoulder and reach to the front of the ring with the left leg. Deliver the discus as described above. Step & Turn As we continue to work our way back to the full throw, the next piece is the Step & Turn. This is the link between the front and the back of the ring. Begin with the right foot a little past the center of the ring aiming between the center of the sector and the left sector line. The left foot will be aiming in the same direction and behind the right about shoulder width apart. Start the throw by winding the discus back over the right shoulder and raising the left arm. As this action is being completed, begin turning the right foot and continue turning it until the discus has left the athletes hand. The left leg will pass close to the right knee, land in the stand position and turn to complete the throw. Once the left leg lands this is a standing throw, in essence this drill adds movement to the stand. Step & Turn Variations/Drills Continuous Step & Turn - Hold the discus like a book with fingers wrapped around the edge. The discus will not be released on this drill. Assume the starting position described above and stand on line. Once the left foot has landed, immediately begin another step and turn back in the direction that you started. Continue for 4-8 repetitions. When first teaching the drill allow a brief pause on each left foot touchdown. Walking Step & Turn - No need for a discus on this one. Walk normally and complete a step and turn every few steps, initiating the movement when the right foot is forward. You can stay upright while doing this drill. South African South African Variations/Drills Running South African- Start with discus slightly in front of athlete, a little in front of right hip. Jog a few steps and complete a South African drill and throw the discus. Work up to a faster run to complete the drill. Shuffle South African - This can be done with or without a discus. Start with feet lined up in South African start position. Complete a South African drill, shuffle in the same direction once (feet don t cross) then complete another South African drill followed by a shuffle. Continue in this pattern and complete 3-5 repetitions. Continuous South African - Complete 3 South Africans in a row. Start with a small slow one and build on each repetition. Do with or without a discus. Full Throw Full Throw Variations and Drills Left Foot Drills - Do this series with or without a discus. Begin with all body weight over the left foot. Keeping the right foot the same distance away from the left, touch the ground lightly with the right at 6-8 spots around the left. The pattern is like drawing a circle around the left foot. Reduce the number of taps gradually until the athlete can complete a spin around the left without touching the ground. Try a complete left foot drill just before a full throw, rewind the discus after completing the drill and throw a full throw. Backwards Full Throw - Do with or without discus. Complete a full throw, stop at the front and reverse the action back to the start. This somewhat advanced. Right Foot Throw - Start a full throw. Don't let the left leg land at the front of the ring. All weight will be over the right. Throw the discus from the right foot and continue bouncing on it to regain balance. 5 Days, No Meets TuesdayDynamic Warm up Pick up to 2 drills from each portion, use cones or medicine balls if throwing Medicine Balls Circuits and/or Sprints Wednesday See Monday Thursday See Tuesday Friday See Monday 5 Days, Two Meets Tuesday Meet Wednesday See Previous Tuesday if you threw discus on Monday otherwise See Monday* ThursdaySee Previous Thursday * Friday Meet 6 Days, 1 Meet Tuesday See Previous Tuesday Wednesday See Previous Wednesday or Recovery & Weight Training** Thursday See Previous Wednesday** Friday Shake out Saturday Meet ** Two days of throwing should be adequate at this point, (Monday & either Wednesday or Thursday) you want to do drills without throwing the discus on one of these days Resources Recommended Track and Field Products
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