By: Jeff Trout

Teaching Progression

• I. Holding the shot– Up on fingers

– If not strong enough, may place on pads at base of fingers

• Keep the shot out of the palm

-Fingers together, behind shot—depends on finger strength

Holding the shot continued

- Place the shot in the neck area– In front of ear lobe

– Below jaw

– Thumb jabbed into collarbone

-Keep elbow high, slightly below parallel to ground is ideal

The Power Position

•Start facing 90o to the direction shot will travel•Place both feet together with the left foot against left half of toe board•Step towards the center of the ring with the right foot

Foot Placement• The left toe should be

inline with the right heel/instep

• Left toe should be perpendicular to direction of throw

• Right toe should be between pointing to back of ring and being parallel to left foot

•Right knee should be flexed supporting a majority of the body weight

•The upper body will twist and bend at the waist so the thrower is facing the opposite direction of the throw

•The eyes of the athlete should be focused on the elbow of the throwing arm or in that general direction

•The free (left) arm should cross the mid-line of the front part of the body

•Movement begins with rotation on the power leg toe

•The left hip will be “driven” forward and upwards by action of the power leg

•The back begins to lift

•The extended free arm swings wide around the left side and travels in the plane that the shot will travel. At the release point the free arm is bent sharply at the elbow and pulled (blocked) into the free arm side

•As the back begins to rise the throwing shoulder will begin to move forward and upward. The eyes, head, and chest are lifted up into the throw at the front of the circle.Stick the chest out, stand tall-be proud. Keep the eyes on or above the horizon.

•The head should continue to move to the left to allow the shot to travel in a straight line through the release.

•After the throwing arm is fully extended, the wrist should pronate (flick outwards).

•At the time of release the shoulder should face the direction of throw, thrower should be up on toes, and release angle between 38o-43o

• At least one foot should remain in contact with the throwing surface until the shot is released

•Let the follow through happen naturally—reversing must be the result of the throw and not a planned part of throw

•Snap the head to the left, flex the right leg, and throw the left leg upwards