Hammer Winds

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   How many winds do you take with the hammer both your release?
I was following the VP Productions viedo that states you should take 3 winds, but I have noticed that a lot of throwers only due 2. So I decide to try 2 and low and behold I am getting about 5 Feet more in my throws. I know that when I do 3 winds my speed falls off a little just before the release. So I am curious as to what you guys do and why.

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captjamie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 12/31/10 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 140	Post Options Post Reply Quote captjamie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Hammer Winds Posted: 5/07/11 at 4:04pm
	How many winds do you take with the hammer both your release? I was following the VP Productions viedo that states you should take 3 winds, but I have noticed that a lot of throwers only due 2. So I decide to try 2 and low and behold I am getting about 5 Feet more in my throws. I know that when I do 3 winds my speed falls off a little just before the release. So I am curious as to what you guys do and why.

Wayne Hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postaholic Joined: 8/29/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2935	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne Hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5/07/11 at 11:54pm
	Three winds is something to strive for, because if your motion and acceleration are right, three will pretty much maximize your distance. With that said, though, you should practice lots of things in training: try single-turn throws (which can be enlightening), two-turn throws, three-turn throws, continuous winds, winding in the opposite direction, and so forth. In a games, use what gives you the best distance at that point in your training.
	"We may be small, but we're slow." - MIT Rugby

will barron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postaholic Top 10 in the USA - '03, '04, '07, '08 Joined: 8/30/04 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1455	Post Options Post Reply Quote will barron Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5/08/11 at 12:04am
	Some throwers have thrown very far with two winds. But the ones that I know of - ultimately switched to three and threw even further. The key to making the three winds work with max speed is really staying long and loose (and pretty low intensity) with the first wind. Then the second wind is where you add some heat. When I wind, I think 50% effort on wind 1, 80% on wind 2 and 100% on three. take a look at Bruce Aitkens' first wind in the hammer. Specifically the extra reach he gets as his arms are about to pass his right hip. The speen and intensity is low but the path he sets for the winds is why I think he is the World Record holder. that and his 10' arms... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZMa0xE0CnU I love watching that throw...hard to believe a 22# hammer can move that fast.

DaleGehman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 4/20/07 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 235	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaleGehman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5/08/11 at 3:11pm
	I think it depends a lot on how you're using your winds as to the value of them. I've managed to get PR's in the last couple of years by finally figuring out what gives me the best speed in both the LH and HH, and they're not the same. In HH, I build speed in each of the 4 rotations I do in a pretty linear fashion, starting with turn 1, which is just relaxed and setting up the orbit of the hammer. For LH, though, I've found I can't handle the speed I reach for a very long time, so my first 2 winds are just easy, relaxed, telling myself to keep long and loose. Wind 3 is more like 70%, and wind 4 is 100%. It's kinda like grip-and-rip, with 2 set up easy winds. Having said all that, do you get good speed now? Can you handle that without losing balance or pulling in? I think those answers and your own ability will be important to deciding what works best for you. Good luck.
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JSiau10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 2/14/11 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 744	Post Options Post Reply Quote JSiau10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5/11/11 at 4:30pm
	I think this is another one of those things that changes from person to person. from what I've seen, the more winds you can do the better, but if you are losing your footing or your momentum trying to get to 5 spins, you're probably better off letting loose sooner, even if that's only 2. personally I do three spins because any more than that and I lose momentum. that being said, you couldn't go terribly wrong getting some boot spikes. if you can gain that extra stability, it should help you keep your balance for more spins.
	I'm just an idiot, pretending to be smart.

Tommi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 8/10/10 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tommi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5/20/11 at 2:02pm
	It is for sure something weird to move to 3 spins. The reason you are probably throwing further with less is because of control. It's hard to keep it in the right groove and control the hammer when you take more spins. It's kind of similar to taking a super fast first spin in a 2-spin WFD.. Just like the first spin can be a little slower you should do exactly like will barron said. Take it slow and keep perfect form on the first pull, start adding love to the second, and then rip it through on the third
	Tommi.Kitchens.