AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16801, 14 November 1928, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

THROWING THE DISCUS HINTS TO BEGINNERS ( Notes by "Discus.") The tirsl part of my article on throwing the discus was published in last Thursday's issue, and the following' few paragraphs will conclude the advice.

The loft leg is brought forward, and when [he foot is put lo the ground at the front edge of the circle the left shoulder should face the direction in which I lie athlete is going to throw. The right leg is now pushing the body forward, together with a violent turn of the right shoulder, while the arm is still kept trailing behind, and not. until the arm is right off the shoulder is (he throw itself started. The athlete must apply all his force! in the throw, the legs are stretched out, and the right shoulder is forced forward lo the utmost extent. The discus is followed out by the forelinger. The more powerful the throw the gieater is the rotary movement imparted to the discus, and the longer the sailing of the latter through the air. The left'leg must, resist the thrust of the body and the left side is made stiff to prevent the body from swaying to the left. It' the body has been 100 far ahead at the moment of (he throw, the right foot is quickly brought forward to prevent the body from failing over tin' edge of the circle, which is usually termed fouling and is responsible for the disqualification of tlic athlete.

The preliminary swings with the arms should be performed as a uniform and steady movement, nor must the turn in. the circle be made too rapid. The speed should be worked up to degrees so that it will reach the maximum at the point of throwing. The style described above may be used by any athlete, though a tall person should perform the wavy curve in a more marked manner than a mediumsized athlete'.

PRACTISING THE TECHNIQUE Athletes who intend taking up this branch of sport should pay particular attention to the following: The standing throw is first practised. The body is turned at 45 degrees to the direction in which the discus is going, and thou the preliminary swings with the right: arm are made. ' The weight of the. body is shifted to the right side. From its position above the head the discus is swung down, backwards, and up, whjle the right log is pushing the body forward, and so on, exactly as described above. Do not.put any force, in the. throw, but leave the discus to follow its own course. Then the. turn in the circle is practised without the discus; and later, when the turn is completely mastered, the exercise is continued with the discus. Every detail of the-movement should be practised separately, and gradually put together until they are united into a uniform, speed-gathering movement that will reach is climax in the throw. As soon as the athlete has attained a perfect knowledge of the technique he should endeavor to- throw for length. WEEK-END TRAINING.

There was a large muster of athletes oiiguged in training operations at the reserve track during the week-end. It is pleasing to note that local athletes are. concentrating more on the field events. On Sunday .morning several groups of sprinters endeavored to learn a few points about throwing the discus, and the writer would like to draw their attention to the article in this issue, the lir'st part of wbich was published last Thursday. The broad jump and putting the shot events were also participated in. .

HINTS TO THE ATHLETE. Never go in for athletics unless yon ifivo been examined by a physiean.

Consult the physiean during the performance of your athletic, work, anil keep a constant eye on the development of. your body. Do not disregard the advice and instructions given by the instructor and the jj.iysi.cau. .They have the experience in which you are lacking.