Throwing is a type of athletics discipline which is characterized by the throwing an object as far as possible : shot put, discus, hammer or javelin. While it is common for young athletes to be versatile up until the age of 18 or 20, practicing both shot put and discus or hammer throw – the most common combo being shot put and discus – after that, the demands are such that athletes specialize. “, explains Thierry Cristel, national head of throwing at the French Athletics Federation.
Shot Put: What Are We Talking About?
As its name suggests, shot put involves… throwing a weight as far as possible!
What is the shot put technique?
” In men's competition, the projectile has a mass of 7.257 kilos, which means it weighs slightly more than a six-pack of one-liter bottles of water.specifies Thierry Cristel. During the event, the thrower stands inside a 2.135 meter circle and holds the projectile between the neck and the shoulder.
It currently exists two techniques for throwing it : the first technique, called translation, consists of making a sort of backward jump before turning explosively to throw, while the second – used today by the majority of world throwers – is based on rotation, a bit like in discus throwing. »
How much does a shot weigh and what are the different types of throws in athletics?
In athletics, the throwing family is divided into several disciplines:
- shot put: 7 kilos for men and 4 kilos for women;
- discus throw: 2 kilos for men and 1 kilo for women;
- hammer throw: 7 kilos for men and 4 kilos for women;
- and the javelin throw: 800 grams for men and 600 grams for women.
What is the world record for this discipline for men? Who is the best shot putter?
The world record is currently held by American Ryan Crouser.author of a throw of 23.56 m on May 27, 2023. In France, it is Frédéric Dagée who holds the senior record for men with a throw of 20.75 m on June 26, 2021 during the French outdoor championships in Angers.
The Americans are currently the best in the discipline. Over there, some throwers are considered real stars and are 2 meters tall and weigh 130 to 140 kilos: they are more imposing than our rugby second rows. Thierry Cristel, national throws manager at the French Athletics Federation
And in women?
The world record for shot put is still held byRussian athlete Natalya Lisovskaya who reached 22.63 meters… in 1987 during the Znamenskiy Memorial Athletics Meeting in Moscow!
What is the origin of shot put?
The discipline of throwing is not new! Shot put, discus throw and javelin throw are ancient disciplines who were already present at the first Olympic Games in Greece “, confirms Thierry Cristel. In the 17th century, soldiers practiced… throwing cannonballs! It is no coincidence that in 1860, the weight of the metal ball was set at 16 pounds (7.257 kg) in reference to the artillery ball of the same weight.
There modern practice which consists of placing the projectile between the neck and the shoulder to limit the risk of injury was born at the end of the 19th century, while the throwing circle was adopted at the 1904 Summer Olympics.
What physical abilities are required in men and women?
It's no surprise: “featherweights” are rare among shot putters. While the weight/power/speed ratio may be favourable to dynamic athletes in the cadet and junior categories (respectively 5 and 6 kilos), beyond 7 kilos, dynamism is no longer enough to performconfides the national manager.
The strength/speed ratio is essential when it comes to power: these are athletes who are fast and very strong. A shot putter will spend almost as much time building muscle as he will training to improve his throwing technique. It takes an extraordinary size to achieve extraordinary performances. Thierry Cristel.
And let's face it, there are a lot of them in the discipline!
- New Zealand pitcher Valerie Adams (Vili) – 1.93 m and 122 kilos – holds one of the greatest records in the history of athletics with two Olympic titles in 2008 in Beijing and in 2012 in London, a silver medal in 2016 in Rio and a bronze medal in 2020 in Tokyo.
- As for the vice-world champion in shot put Leonardo Fabbrihe peaks at 1.98 m and weighs 128 kilos. Mass is essential for performance ” confirms Olympic champion Ryan Crouser.
For shot putters, kilos are far from superfluous. On the contrary! Unlike long-distance runners and other ultra-trailers who are chasing calories, throwing athletes eat to avoid melting away. This is evidenced by Luxembourger Bob Bertemes, finalist at the 2019 European Championships, in the columns of the daily newspaper Libération: “ With the rotational throwing technique, adopted by the best, the idea is to move a mass very quickly, but while maintaining explosiveness. The mass ensures balance and stability. Speed does the rest. In two years, I gained 10 kilos. »
What are the benefits of shot put?
The shot put discipline requires explosiveness and strength. Regular training combines strength training and throwing to improve technique. Shot put increases power and develops muscle mass throughout the body: the legs are used for the push; the abdominal and back muscles for maintaining the pelvis and spine; the shoulders for upper body stability; and the arms for propulsion of the implement. “, explains Thierry Cristel.
Shot put also improves motor coordination and concentration. Finally, it is a discipline that allows you to better manage your stress. I have often seen athletes come to throw the discus or the shot put in the evening after their day of work in order to clear their heads and release the pressure. “, concludes the national head of throwing at the French Athletics Federation (FFA).
And its advantages?
Unlike other types of throwing which have significant technical constraints, shot put can be practiced indoors or outdoors and only requires a distance of 20 meters.