Hammer Help

I am going to start practicing the hammer throw and would like some advice.

Being that I throw in the 80+ range and get beat by 20+ feet every time.

 

I own a 22 pound hammer and was wondering, should I practice with a lighter hammer to learn form or just use the 22 pounder at 50% to 80%. For some reason I have trouble keeping my arms straight.

 

What weight hammer should I build to practice?

I was also thinking of making a practice hammer with a 60" long handle to get orbit correct. Would that be a bad idea?

 

The 22 is great for learning the positions, stretch, acceleration etc. If most of your comps have a 22, and that's what you already have, go for it!

I think you're on it Will. I would say the biggest issue for me with the 22 is that I have to be 'hammer strong' so that I can really relax and generate speed with a BIG orbit. That means tons and tons of winds and never leaving the gym without 20-30 med ball release drills into the wall (this drill is what builds the strength you need to not cut the ball off on the release). I can't tell you how many times I've seen great throws ruined by someone cutting off the ball on the finish (even with top pros).

I guess that one might need an explanation. If you pull the ball out of its orbit you are 'cutting it off'. You need to let it run all the way across the front. Most throwers have a tendency to pull the ball out of its orbit on the release instead of going with it and using a good strong block with the left leg.

Borges wrote: I guess that one might need an explanation. If you pull the ball out of its orbit you are 'cutting it off'. You need to let it run all the way across the front. Most throwers have a tendency to pull the ball out of its orbit on the release instead of going with it and using a good strong block with the left leg.

thanks

Why, because I had a couple defective hammers that would not fly far?  Don't blame the thrower, not my fault.  Thing looked good in the dumpster anyway.