Shot put is a track and field event that has been part of the Olympic Games since its revival in 1896. The event requires athletes to throw a metal ball, called a shot, as far as possible within a given area. It is considered one of the oldest events in sport and has evolved over time to become more technical and challenging.
The Shot
The shot used in shot put is made from various materials such as brass or iron. For men, it weighs 7.26 kg (16 pounds), while for women, it weighs 4 kg (8.8 pounds). The weight varies depending on age category and competition level.
Throwing Technique
To throw the shot effectively, an athlete needs strength, power, speed, coordination and balance. A typical throwing technique involves four phases: glide technique, rotational technique or spin technique.
In the glide technique method:
1) The athlete starts by standing at the back of the circle with their feet parallel.
2) They take two to three short steps forward.
3) While stepping forward with their left foot (for right-handed throwers), they simultaneously push off from their right leg into a long slide across the circle.
4) As they slide across the ring towards its front edge with their left foot leading them into position facing outwards from inside of circle,
5) The athlete shifts their body weight onto their left foot then quickly twists around so that they face backwards before releasing the shot away from them using only one hand.
In contrast to this method is Rotational or Spin Technique which involves:
1) A wind-up phase where an athlete spins around inside the circle several times while holding onto his/her neck
2) After winding up fully he/she releases his/her neck then rotates hips first followed by shoulders then finally arm as fast as possible while pushing off opposite leg thereby generating angular momentum before releasing shot away from him/her using only one hand.
Rules & Regulations
According to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), shot put rules state that an athlete’s throw is deemed valid if the following conditions are met:
– The shot must land within a designated throwing sector.
– The athlete must not step outside the circle during or after the throw.
– The athlete must not touch any part of the top, side or end of the iron ring with their foot.
Scoring
The scoring system for shot put follows a simple rule: whoever throws farthest wins. However, there are some minor technicalities involved in determining a winner in case of ties. In such cases, officials use measurements taken from different parts of the circle to determine who threw farther and thus is declared as the winner.
Training & Equipment
Shot put requires athletes to develop physical and mental endurance through constant practice and training. Athletes focus on strength training exercises like weightlifting, squats, lunges etc., cardio exercises including running and jumping rope along with drills for technique improvement.
To enhance grip strength which plays crucial role while holding onto heavy ball throughout rotational motion before release; athletes might also use hand grippers or weighted balls during workouts.
In terms of equipment, apart from shoes that provide good traction on track surface; athletes typically wear form-fitting clothing which allows unrestricted movement during throws. Additionally they might also choose to use wrist wraps or belts for additional support while throwing shots weighing over 16 pounds.
Famous Shot Putters
Over time, several renowned athletes have made their mark in shot put history by winning multiple Olympic medals and breaking world records. Some famous names include Randy Barnes who holds world record at 23.12m set back in 1990s , Valerie Adams – New Zealand’s most successful Olympian ever having won two golds & one silver medal each at three consecutive Olympic games held between 2008 till 2016 along with USA’s Michelle Carter who won Gold medal at 2016 Rio Olympics.
In conclusion, shot put is a challenging and technical event that requires strength, speed, coordination and balance. It is one of the oldest events in sports history and has evolved over time to become more competitive. With proper training and equipment, athletes can excel in this sport by breaking records and winning medals at various competitions including the Olympic Games.