Shot Put Tips

The shot put is a track and field event that involves throwing a heavy metal ball. It features in athletic competition as an event in itself as well as a part of the heptathlon and the decathlon. The most common technique is the glide, moving across the throwing circle with a half-turn, as opposed to the outdated rotational technique that involves spinning in the throwing circle. There are certain details of the technique which, if attended to, will improve performance.

  1. Starting Position

    • Facing the back of the throwing circle, crouch down and transfer your weight onto your standing leg (your right leg if you are right-handed). The lower you crouch, the more power you will be able to generate to move across the throwing circle.

    Travel Quickly

    • You should aim to travel across the throwing circle as quickly as possible. The speed you achieve in this movement will be transferred to the throw. Push as hard as you can on your standing leg, and extend your other leg as quickly as possible to the other side of the throwing circle.

    Shot Position

    • Keep the shot pressed tightly against your neck until the final release. It is easy to let the shot drift away from the neck as you travel across the throwing circle; this will lessen the thrust you will be able to generate with your throwing arm.

    Shot Release

    • When releasing the shot, ensure that you fully extend your throwing arm. This will generate the maximum thrust. Aim for an approximate angle of 45 degrees for the putting thrust. At the full extension of the arm, flick your wrist in order to give the shot some backward spin to keep it airborne for as long as possible.