Name is Jerome.  I am 31 and I have been "throwing" since Nov 2006.  I have been a (crappy) powerlifter for several years and wanted to give HG a go.  My first HG was Mississippi Gulf Coast in Nov if you want to check the data base.  Since then I have improved my throws quite a bit as I start to learn technique instead of just trying to muscle the weight.  My best events right now are sheaf, WOB, and stone.  I am starting to get an idea on the WFD (28 feels a lot better than the 56) and the hammer gives me fits.  Still working on my timing with the caber (I pull too late).

I train with 3 guys down here on the MS gulf coast (2 masters and an "A" division).

Next comp is Panama City, FL on March 10th and then Gonzales, LA on 24 Mar.  Hoping to do some damage in the B division.

Jerome,

Sounds like you should try to pick apart the movements of the "A" division guy you throw with and drill those movements (with & without weights). 

Then you should follow him around like a lost dog to find out what HE does.

Just my thoughts.

Sleeping Dragon wrote: Why would you want to hurt yourself?

John, I assume you mean my "do some damage" comment??? I was talking about the competition.  There is a lifter that I have my eye on as a target and my goal is to beat him, repeatedly and badly (my throws not physically...).  More importantly I am hoping to set some PR's and maybe walk away with a field record.

I love your sig line!

JaysonTisdale wrote: Jerome, Sounds like you should try to pick apart the movements of the "A" division guy you throw with and drill those movements (with & without weights).  Then you should follow him around like a lost dog to find out what HE does. Just my thoughts.

I will consider that but I think I have got all the useful info I can out of him...all that is left is bad habits    If all goes well the "A" thrower will be breaking down my movements in the not too distant future.  I plan on unveiling a viscious double in the 56 and speed up the 28 considerably.  Plus I have a secret weapon...CHALK! 

See ya Saturday

This is key:  More importantly I am hoping to set some PR's

Sounds like somebody burned you.  Either that or it's one of your best friends!  Hope he's one of your best friends.  Training for vengeance leads to the dark side.  Friendly rivalries...by all means!

Honestly just trying to figure out what drives you is all.  Print can convey all kinds of things but out of all those kinds of things only one thing is the thing you meant.  (I think I broke a rule using the word thing too many times)

Throw far and with honor!

Yeah John, those are a lot of things.

This guy is not a friend but he is not an enemy or anything...he is just somebody who beat me at my first games and I made it a point to beat him next time....he is my moving target.  I joke about it when I am training...just a little extra motivation, friendly rivalry type stuff (without actually being friends).  There might even be a little smack talking going on  

Hope that makes sense.  I am pretty light hearted so if in doubt, take it as a joke/ light ribbing... 

It makes sense.  Best wishes on the challenge you've put yourself to!

the guy never showed...we have 2 more games in the next month...he should be at one of them.  Ended up 3rd out of 15 in the B class with a first (field record in sheaf 24'1"...sat on 25' but came back on near side) and 2 seconds (WOB 11' with no misses and open stone 21# 29'10").

The guy who won was a former A (twice) and was coming back from a layoff (injury) and won 5 of the events and set 2 field records...the word "sandbagger" was heard often (all in jest though).

Great games and great fun!  Looking forward to Gonzales, LA in 2 weeks! 

mikeychaffee wrote: ...Also the spin for the hammer throw just looks like a bad injury waiting to happen so any pointers on that would also be nice.

You are on a SCOTTISH HIGHLAND ATHLETICS BOARD .  We don't spin with the hammer, it's a foul if you move your feet before release.

If you are in need of help with the OLYMPIC HAMMER, then make sure you specify, otherwise the advise you get won't help.

mikeychaffee wrote: Im looking for any advice on the spin technique for the WFD I am brand new and am going to start trainging as soon as the weather breaks, but that spin scares the hell out of me. If anyone has any advice i would appreciate it.

The best advice I can give is start with drills (no weight) first to get your foot placement correct.  Then try it with the 28# NOT THE 56#.  If you have any balance issues, you won't end up in the neighbors yard trying to regain your balance.

Also, try to find throwers in your area and form a training group.  Having someone watch and critique your movements is worth anything, even if they are a novice.  Having a video camera is great too, because you can go back and pick out the things other people may have missed.

Last but not least, get yourself some DVD's from the pros like Ryan Vierra ( http://www.vp-prod.com - www.vp-prod.com ) or Larry Brock ( http://www.brockthrow.com - brockthrow.com ).  Not only do you get proper form & technique at full speed, but they break down the movements into their simplest parts.  This makes doing drill-specific movements more manageable.

I hope this helps.