Lately I have been having some good discussions on Facebook about hammer throw technique and hope to have some further articles about the topic this season. In the meantime Martin sent me a video of his throw last month to learn more about how the theory of technical applies to an actual throw. Below are a few comments.
Everyone wants to know how to accelerate the hammer. But before you can answer that question you have to look at another question first: Does the body force the hammer to move? Or does the hammer force the body to move? You might say “This is easy! We push and control the hammer. We force the hammer to move.” Is it that easy? I would say this statement is both true and false.
Today I want to tell you about a game that can teach you working with the hammer differently. We all struggle with the monotony of winter training and sometimes it is hard to find the motivation for the fine technical work required to throw far. This game will teach you to find your “fine feeling” of the throw.
Editor’s Note: Earlier this week we published an open letter from Sergej Litvinov to Lord Sebastian Coe. Many view all Russian athletes as hiding behind their federation. However some athletes like Litvinov do not want to hide. Below is an email exchange between Litvinov and the IAAF.
Dear Lord Coe, When it was announced that the Russian team will be banned from the upcoming Olympics last week, the common reaction here in Russia was denial mixed with anger. Many top athletes and officials continue to deny the scope of the problem and are angry that Russia is being singled out while similar issues exist in many places across the world. I am not in denial.
