Getting the Stone Down

Here's my comment, then I'll see what other people think:

Rarely does the path of the stone actually go too high.  If it feels like it, you're probably rotating your shoulders over the top (dropping your left shoulder, if you're a rightie), so you're not pushing the stone in a straight line.  This messes up your leverage.  To fight this, I'd suggest a drill from the Braemar position, where you concentrate on rotating your hips before moving the stone, and throw your left elbow high as you unwind.  This, combined with step-overs (purposely walking over the trig after the release in one continuous motion) should get things going better.

As if I should talk.

-Wayne

Agree, there is no "too high".

I have had my best throws doing a modified South African spin I don’t glide well at all. But my “spin” only gives me a foot if I am lucky. Yes my elbow is up Ill have to check the thumb. Ill try the step overs

Yes I reverse, but It feels like lose some of the "torque"  when I  spin. maybe this is due to the fact that  I have  more speed. I don't have a good understanding of "Blocking" which maybe the problem. I am going to see if I can find a college  shot coach  my be able to help. I started  out last year  at  32ft  once I got the power position under control I got to 36-38 but I have been stuck at that distance


Edited by G-man

I also agree, how can you be "too high"?

It is very easy to throw "to high". Anybody from SCSU can tell you stories of my shot going hgier than it did far. You basically put your effort into the wrong direction-up instead of out.

I don't think it is really a drill that you can do to, stepping over the trig to finish a throw will create a very bad habit. Good to do once in a while for drive purposes but overall a correction in form is the adjustment needed.

1) Facing the front of the trig- you main goal from the back is to get to the front in a torqued position-NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! Without this position you have no throw.

Shoulders should face the back of the trig area, your chest should be up, and your left foot in a open position to let the hip come through.

2) If your stone is going to high then you are probably bent over in your power position. Seeing the ground is not condusive to a big throw unless you can do a 315lb goodmorning!

Your basic position in the back is to squat on the legs and keep the chest up. Let the natural momentum from back-front take you. No need to push hard(gets your upperbody ahead of your lower). Land in torqued position(noted above), and your throw should flatten itself out.

If this doesn't work then get a 100lb stone, shoulder it, and start with little tosses straight out.

oh no!!!!!!!!

I have just helped another 50'+ throw!

May the power of Vidal Sassoon be with you Roy....

yes you can get too high with the stone...check your throwing arm and make sure the elbow is high and stays high....a lot of times when you drop your elbow you tend to pop it up instead of out.

Craig Smith, who putt 54' last weekend - a glider. Yes, he can push press well over 315 and is an amazing athlete. Ken Lowther - if you watch his release you might think too high - but no - simply amazing. these are both freaky strong, talented power houses. The glide is cool and dependable but you gotta be able to blast it

I have no real track and field experience with throws. I threw the disc in high school but just as a “ringer” I was always busy running the 400 and 800 we had no throws coach. I tried to switch to disc in college but once I started running the 400 that’s all my coach wanted me to do (that was 12 years and 100lbs ago) . I have tried to glide but It just does not feel right. The spin works best for me when I go really slow till I get to the power position then explode. I’m guessing with experience I can increase the speed.

 

OK tomorrow  I will try the following

1) don’t bend over at the waist

2) keep elbow high

2) keep your left arm straight and back across your body until the release

3) should I always reverse ?

 

I’m dusting off this old post because I finally figured why my stone throw was popping to high. I was looking at a picture of someone coming out of the power position and noticed a difference in how the left arm comes across the body. When I was pulling my arm across I was also going up and then down in some kind of exaggerated arc. When I changed my arm the stone got much more projection and I immediately gained 3 plus feet of distance.  I will test it out in Wellington tomorrow.     

  G

Deakion - notice how Smith "reverses" his feet at the end of the throw in the video below

http://www.speed-strength.com/MYFILES/chicagostone/csmithsto ne2.wmv

Terry great vids!!!

 

Edited by G-man