Assignment 20 Nick Falk

Throwing the discus is a very intricate art in of itself that requires a particular set of skills. These skills are acquired over a very long span of hard work and practice and make anyone a nightmare to their opponents. These steps require anyone to pay close attention to details and perform with exact precision or they won’t yield the wanted results. First, obtain a high school sized discus, which for guys is 1.61 kilograms; while female require a 1 kilogram discus. Next, to ensure that you are properly holding the discus, place your index finger on the center of it. Then, you will slide your hand upward until the tips of your fingers are grasping the curved edge of the discus and your thumb is resting on the side facing up. You will know if you are holding the discus correctly if it falls out of your hand holding it still. This sounds incorrect, but when you are throwing it the momentum will keep the disc steadily in your hands. Next, you will station yourself in the back of the discus circle with your dominant foot closest to the outside of the circle and the other in the center. In order to start gaining momentum, you will lean forward, bend your knees at a 110 degree angle, and stand on the balls of your feet.  Then, you will pull your arm with the disc in it back so it is aligned with your body all the while you are pivoting both of your feet. You will repeat this again or until you feel you have gained enough momentum. Next, you will swing your dominant foot out and around your other foot. It should land in about the center of the pit, and you should be facing the side of the disc ring. You should still be leaning forward and bending your knees. You also should be using your non- dominant arm to help swing yourself to achieve a greater speed. After that, you swing your other leg around so that it is almost touching the center part of the front of the disc circle. Next, then you will twist your hips so you are now facing the discus field and rising up from low positioning. Then, you swing your arm with the disc towards the field; while your other arm which should be bent at a right angle is still helping you spin faster is pulling you. Your arm should be pointing where you want to throw it when you release and at about a 50 degree angle. It is important that you don’t tighten your grip on the disc because it will only ruin the quality of the release if you do. The disc should roll off of your index finger when you release, and when the disc is released it should have a straight rotation and nothing wobbling about it. Also, while you’re finishing your last rotation, you should swing your back leg with your arms with you in order to have a good follow-through. Finally, walk out of the back of the disc circle in order to avoid disqualification. Now you have successfully thrown a recordable discus throw at a high school track meet.