How to Throw a Discus

The discus throw has been part of the Olympics since inception. This challenging sport, is today, a continuing contributor to track and field on all levels. From high school to professional level, the discus can be learned with a few moderate steps and a lot of practice.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Position your feet. To begin your discus throw, position your feet should width apart. Do not allow your feet to angle outward. Keep the feet straight and perpendicular to one another.

2. Hold the discus. Using your dominant hand, allow the discus to rest in your palm. The edge of the discus will be held in the palm by the tips of the hands four fingers.

3. Prepare for the throw. Raise your non dominant hand in to the air and extend. Raise the hand of the extended arm three to four inches above head level. Bend the elbow of the arm holding the discus and bring the discus to stomach level.

4. Start your throw. Throwing the discus is one fluid movement. You will twist your body at the trunk, moving the extended arm in front of your body while bringing the discus behind your body. As you bring the discus to the back of the body, flip the hand holding the discus over so the discus is facing the ground. Centrifugal force will hold the discus in place.

5. Finish your throw. Remaining fluid and continuing the movement, once the extended arm reaches the mid line of your body, you will begin to move that arm and the arm holding the discus back toward their starting positions. Twisting the body at the trunk, pushing off the leg closest to the discus continue the rotation until the arm holding the discus is approaches the starting position of the extended arm. While in motion, at this point, release the discus into the air, by rolling the disc off of the fingers and into the sky.

Tips & Warnings

• Remain fluid throughout the movement.
• The discus should be release at a 40-45 degree angle for optimal height and distance.
• Make sure no one is in the path of your discus throw.
• Never throw in an area other than a large open space.

[danek]

on 3/1/2009 This completes the preceding comment:...second rotation and to shift your torso back toward the center of the ring.

[danek]

on 3/1/2009 Here is the rest of the preceding comment:...by centrifugal force. As you begin the rotation, shift your weight from right to left as you kick off with your right foot. Keep your throwing-side hip (right hip for right-handers) ahead of the disc. Pivot on the left foot as your discus arm tries to keep up with your torso. Plant the kicking right foot near the middle of the ring and swing the left leg to power the rotation through one 360-degree turn. Plant the left foot behind the left shoulder and kick through the end of the rotation with your right foot, dropping your left arm to block for maximum power. At the end of 1 1/2 rotations, allow the disc to roll forward out of your hand, using your fingertips to impart a slight, clockwise spin as you release the disc, which will help stabilize the disc in flight. Allow your right leg to carry you around to complete the second rotation an

[danek]

on 3/1/2009 Generally sound advice, with some exceptions. You do not start with your feet PERPENDICULAR to each other! Your feet should be PARALLEL to each other, shoulder-width apart. The instructions also do not explain that you stand in the back of the circle to start, facing 180 degrees away from the intended direction of throw. It's also important to keep the torso erect and the head up during the rotation. When you twist your torso at the trunk to begin the first rotation, you keep your non-throwing arm (left arm for right-handers) extended to balance, with the line of your arms making an X with the line of your hips. Instead of spinning like a top, imagine you are powering yourself along a straight line across the middle of the circle, for most throwers in four steps. Your throwing hand will be palm down during your rotation, with the disc secured against the fingertips by centrifugal f

[danek]

on 3/1/2009 Generally sound advice, with some exceptions. You do not start with your feet PERPENDICULAR to each other! Your feet should be PARALLEL to each other, shoulder-width apart. The instructions also do not explain that you stand in the back of the circle to start, facing 180 degrees away from the intended direction of throw. It's also important to keep the torso erect and the head up during the rotation. When you twist your torso at the trunk to begin the first rotation, you keep your non-throwing arm (left arm for right-handers) extended to balance, with the line of your arms making an X with the line of your hips. Instead of spinning like a top, imagine you are powering yourself along a straight line across the middle of the circle, for most throwers in four steps. Your throwing hand will be palm down during your rotation, with the disc secured against the fingertips by centrifugal f