Shot Put Guide

Shot put is a track and field event that requires a great deal of focus, strength, and skill. In order to perform to your greatest ability, it is important to be provided with the right equipment. Sports Unlimited offers quality products that suit all of our athlete?s needs.

How Do You Play Shot Put?

Shot put is a track and field event that involves the throwing of a heavy, spherical object (the shot) as far as possible. Competitors are positioned inside of a 2.135 (7ft.) meter- marked circle with a stop board that is an approximate 10 cm (3.9in) high. Once the toss is complete, the distance is then measured from the inside of the circumference of the circle to the nearest indent made on the ground?s surface, which is typically sand. The distances are then rounded to the nearest centimeter under the rules of both the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and World Masters Athletics (WMA).

How To "Throw" A Shot Put

It is important to understand that the shot cannot be thrown like a baseball, but rather pushed. *Throwing the shot incorrectly can result in disqualification during competition or more importantly, a serious injury. Before the shot is released, athletes carefully hold it in their hand and rest it on their shoulder. This is followed by a few hops within the circle and a forceful push, letting loose of the shot. The stop board allows the competitor to stop before stepping out of bounds of the circle.

Shot Put Styles

Glide - (1951) Parry O?Brien, a former shot put champion, invented the ?Glide? technique in which the athlete would face backwards and would make a 180? rotation across the circle thus releasing the shot.

Spin - (1972) Aleksandr Baryshnikov, a former shot put champion set his first record through the use of the ?Spin? technique. The term is just as it sounds. Just like discus throwers, this technique allows for the athlete to make a complete spinning rotation providing extra force and momentum, as well as a high rotational speed upon release of the shot.

Shot Put Training Tips

Though most people think that shot put primarily focuses on arm strength, most do not realize that the majority of the force comes from your legs and core. Workouts such as squats, leg lifts, and crunches will strengthen your legs and core, which will allow for a faster rotation upon release of the shot.

Rest is very important in between training sessions because overworking your muscles can result in serious injuries.

Find your rhythm: Before throwing the shot, it is important to have a rhythm down that will be beneficial every time you approach the throw.