As someone who only started throwing last year - who is almost exactly the same size - though I'm not a master yet - and who didn't start with blades but has tried them I would say this.

A month is pushing it, unless you have a lot of time to practice.

I threw over 100' with the light at the end of last year and with blades could not get close to that. It changes your whole balance thing, you need a while to figure out how to set up - which is quite different, and basically I fell over a lot when first throwing in them - this may have been because I got ones with a 1" bend in them and didn't have heels initially - I will have heels by next weekend and give them their first true outing.

You are likely to do better at that games by concentrating on your form - do you wear football boots already ? - and concentrate on using boots afterwards.

That's only my opinion, having been a mainly football boot wearing, toe hole digging hammer thrower from the start - you may be able to learn to be at least good if not better - but it's likely to frustrate you to begin with.

Let us know how you go !

Yes, what Coach Mac- I started with the right blade only ( I release over my left side). I learned to push or transfer balance over my right side by applying more pressure/force into the ground with right side blade only.  The transfer of weight in conjuction with countering of the hips, rotation of the torso and the pushing of knees forward is quiet difficult to pick-up with both blades.  I also used a 40" handle to transition with the blades. But keeping things in context I wasn't an accomplished hammer thrower 105/125 10 years ago.  I'm considering going back to the 1 blade or no blades. Turning 50 in a few and need to keep the knees healthy- something to consider if your getting up there.

I still wind/drill ( no release) with a 20 lb ankle weight on my right side in the off-season to feel grounded. Good luck.

Alan H wrote: I'm thinking about it. I've got just under a month until my first Games that I want to do well in. Go for it?  Not? What are the main challenges you face when making the transition? I'm an 83 foot 16 lb hammer thrower,  Old Fart Master guy, about 6' 2" 275 lbs. and I practice 2x a week.

Alan, starting the games in 2002 at 135 (now around 170) I went to blades my second season just to keep my self from taking flight.

Problem was I was not ready for them the first two comps that year and wound up on my six alot. Per recommendations from Coach Mac, KO and some others, I went to a one blade format for the rest of the season.

Your a much bigger dude than I but I've seen some big boys new to the blades end up on the wrong side of the trig jumping into them too fast.

IMHO I'd let your upcoming comp ride with just your boots or just one blade.  You need to be comfortable no matter what you decide.

Alan, a couple of comments that I hope will help.

First, when I made the transition, I had been throwing for about 6 or 7 years off and on and I had leveled out at 88-93ft.  Every games, same distance with the 16lb hammer and I had noticed that when I tried throw with "longer arms" I would pull a foot off the ground and loss my balance. 

So, about 2000 I decided I was going to focus on HG full time and actually start "practicing" .  Mike Smith made me some great hammer boots and I pulled these out of the box and thought when I put them on, they would be "magic".  But instead my hammers dropped about 10ft and put them in the closet for about a year.  That was a mistake in my opinion.  Finally, Kevin Rogers told me to either throw with them or without them and if I was going to throw with them I need to practice only with the boots and never, ever throw without them.  So I did, and very quickly I was hitting PR's and when over 100ft by the end of the year.  I now have a PR of 112' plus in competition. 

So, second, you don't have time to adjust to the blades, in my opinion.  But, that said, I know that Nathan and Isaac Burchett put blades on the first time and hit huge PR's right away, but they are young and very athletic, if you are a crusty ol' master, you may need some time to adjust.  Hope this helps, Thom

I have not been to a game that hasn't allowed them.   They are pretty much used everywhere.  I swear by my boots, and cant really throw well without them.  Great highland games tool that I would encourage anyone to at least try for a few months to find out for themselves

Speaking of boots/blades, in case you guys don't want to go to the trouble of making your own, I bought a pair that Ryan Vierra made for me--awesome.  Not that I can throw the hammer well, but it's not the boots' fault. He uses aluminum blades that are way way strong, don't bend and are really light.  I think I paid around $130-140 for them fully made with boots. I sucked at making my own. I think he still sells 'em.

FYI.