How to Hold a Shotput

The Olympic sport of shotput has been a popular sport with professionals, amateurs and school children for a number of years. While the aim is to throw the shotput as far as you possibly can, without the correct technique you will be unable to reach your maximum potential. Learning the steps for the correct shotput throw is pretty straight forward but it will take you quite some time to correctly master it. Learning how to hold a shot put will take you around half an hour.

Things You'll Need

  • Shotput
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Instructions

  1. Glide Throw

    • 1

      Move over to the shot put throwing circle. Turn around so that your back is facing the throwing field.

    • 2

      Place the shot put in the palm of your most most dominant hand. This will allow you to maximise the power you will generate.

    • 3

      Lift your palm in an upwards direction with the shotput in your hand. Place the shot put near your neck so that the tips of your fingers are close to the back of your head.

    • 4

      Move your elbow so that it is completely parallel to the ground. Place the shot put against the side of your neck, just below your jaw. This is the correct way to hold the shot put for the glide technique.

    • 5

      Thrust your weaker leg backwards towards the throwing area. Swivel your hips as you throw your leg back in order to turn around. Plant your weak leg at the front of the throwing circle and push out with your dominant leg and hand to throw the shot put on to the field.

    Spin Throw

    • 6

      Place the shot put in to the palm of your dominant hand. Wrap your fingers around part of the shot put to hold it firmly in your hand.

    • 7

      Lift your palm upwards towards the sky. Place the shot put near your neck so that the tips of your fingers are behind your head.

    • 8

      Rest the shot put underneath your jaw bone, against the side of your neck. Move to the back of the throwing circle and turn around so that your back is facing the throwing field.

    • 9

      Shift your weight on to your weaker leg. Use your free arm to help rotate your body in order to spin towards the front of the throwing circle. If you are a right-handed thrower turn in a counterclockwise rotation. Turn the opposite way when using your left hand.

    • 10

      Plant your less powerful leg once you reach the front of the throwing circle. As you reach the front of the circle crouch slight to help generate more power. Push off your powerful leg and release the shot put outwards from your hand in order to throw it as far as you can on to the field. As you release the shot put, move your hand in to a completely flat position to help generate extra force when throwing the shot put