August 2017 Happy Hour: Accelerating the Hammer

For the August 2017 Happy Hour, we discussed accelerating the hammer and heard the input from special guests Sergej Litvinov and Kevin McMahon. Topics included:

• Sergej Litvinov explains his approach to accelerating the hammer and the differences between active and passive acceleration.
• What makes hammer different than other throwing events and how does that impact acceleration strategies?
• Accelerating the hammer as a beginner vs. as an experienced athlete.
• The limitations of language and the need for independently-minded athletes.
• Kevin McMahon describes his approach to accelerating the hammer.
• Chasing a feeling and how you know when you’ve found it.
• Finding freedom for the hammer.
• Litinov’s thoughts on the best technique among current throwers.
• How Yuri Sedych described his best throws.
• The impact of orbit on acceleration.
• How much can/should you push the hammer?
• How early should you establish connection with the hammer in the winds and start accelerating?
• The impact of entry on acceleration.
• Teaching beginners to throw and accelerate the hammer.