Shot Put

Table of Contents

Shot Put Skills

Technique

Enter circle (it is good to practice entering and exiting from the back).
Body position.
- Stand tall.
- Body sideways with shot side backwards.
- Feet shoulder-width apart.
Hold shot.
- Four fingers together and supported by the thumb.
- Back of fingers against neck in the hollow of the neck.
- Elbow high and pointing backward.
Action.
- Bend back leg.
- Turn hip and shoulder forward as weight shifts forward.
- Push shot forward and upward with “proud chest”.
Exit out the back of the circle.

Modification options

Adjust size or weight of shot to match the athlete’s upper body and core strength and control.
Use a modified training shot or tennis ball (safety practice shot, foam shot, bean bag).
Allow different throwing actions.
- An underarm toss or roll.
- Two-handed chest push.
- Use a ramp or gutter device to roll the shot.
Offer seated throws for relevant athletes. Seated athletes can complete multiple throws in a row to help with the function of the event.
- Throwing frame preferred.
  - Ensure the frame is correctly strapped to the ground.
  - Use appropriate straps / postural anchors such as a pelvic belt and shin belt.
  - Chair is positioned facing forward to field.
  - Hold upright pole for stability and power.
  - Three main techniques to power the movement – trunk rotation, lean directly backward and forward, trunk rotation with backward and forward motion.
  - Technique
- Can use own wheelchair or a heavy everyday chair.
  - Brakes on.
  - Seat belt and chosen postural supports on.
  - Chair or wheelchair can be anchored/held by a helper adult to prevent it from tipping/rocking - hold the back of the chair on the opposite side to putting arm.
  - Non-throwing hand to brace on thigh or arm rest or top of wheel.
  - Low backrest if available.
- Trial different rotational angles for the chair ie putting side rotated slightly backwards.
Use bright markers for the throwing and sector lines.
For blind and low vision athletes, use a guide athlete. See the sensory page for more information.

Before you Start 

Ensure correct weight of shot for the athletes age OR athletes' ability.
Throwing circle is clear of debris.
Waiting athletes stand behind the circle.
Officials face the circle.

Safety 

Defined throwing and landing area.
After throw, the shot is carried back to the circle not thrown or rolled.
Athletes must not put until told.

Measuring 

Zero end of tape is placed on the nearest imprint made by the shot in the ground to the throwing circle.
Pull tape back through the centre of the circle.
Measure to the inside of the stop board or metal rim.
When is the shot a foul? 
- If the shot lands on or outside the sector lines.
- If the athletes hand drops away from the neck during the putting action.
- If the shot put is behind the line of the shoulder.
- If the shot is thrown like a ball.
- If an athlete leaves the circle in an uncontrolled manner.
- If any part of the athlete's body touches the outside of the circle during the putting action.
- If the athlete exits forward out the front half of the circle.

Recording 

Record the distance to the nearest whole centimetre below the distance measured.

ABN 45 761 248 109

ACN 632 256 181

Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.

We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.