The Difference Between Glide & Spin Shoes

Any serious sporting event requires the right shoes to be competitive and avoid injury. This is especially true in track and field competitions of discus throw and shot put. Although it is more economical to purchase an overall throwing shoe, not all competitors can safely wear the same shoe for both glide and spin throwing. Athletes new to these events should consult a sports physician in selecting shoes for their height and technique.

  1. Rotational Shot Put

    • The Hyper Throw by Asics is a shoe to consider for athletes who do a spinning or rotational shot put. The Hyper Throw has concentric grooves in the sole, allowing maximum flexibility while spinning. It also has a special system that locks the shoe around the foot, not allowing any slipping, even in the most rapid spin before releasing the shot. The Nike Zoom Rival SD also has Velcro straps to lock the shoe securely on the foot, as well as the concentric circles so important to the sole of a spin shoe.

    Glide Shot Put

    • Shot put is a arduous sport requiring the proper shoes.

      Many shot put coaches advise their track athletes to wear general throwing shoes so that they can do a combination of glide and spin, as if there is no difference in the shoes for each. However, if an athlete specializes in one style of shot put over another, a specialty shoe.can provide an advantage. The Adidas Adistar, made of synthetic leather and nylon, is a shot put shoe designed especially for the glide technique. Its flat bottom outsole and shock-absorbing midsole set it apart from spin shoes.

    Discus Throw

    • Throwing a discus requires a full-body movement of both gliding and spinning.

      Shoes designed for discus throwing are different from general throwing shoes or shot put shoes in that they are made of a lighter synthetic fabric with carbon rubber soles to allow the combination of movements so essential to that event. The Adidas Adizero is made especially for discus throwing with its mid-cut design.

    General Throwing Shoes

    • For relative beginners at track and field, Nike markets its Zoom SD3 as a general throwing shoe for discus and hammer throws as well as glide and rotational shot puts. Along with a textured sole for traction, the SD3 also has Velcro closing straps for a custom fit. That capability is important for an event like the shot put, where the feet must follow and support the rapid movement of the upper body. No athlete should risk a shoe failure in the middle of a difficult throw.