2. Definition
an athletic contest in which a very
heavy round ball is thrown as far as
possible.
a sport that requires technique as well
as strength.
3. History of Shot Put
The Ancient Greeks threw stones
as a sport and soldiers are
recorded as throwing cannon
balls in the Middle Ages but a
version of the modern form of the
discipline can be traced to the
Highland Games in Scotland
during the 19th century where
competitors threw a rounded
cube, stone or metal weight from
behind a line.
4. History of Shot Put
Scottish Highland Games historians
believe the shot put originated from the
ancient Celtic tradition of "putting the
stone" which, according to Scottish
folklore, was used by Clan chieftains to
help them identify their strongest men for
battle purposes.
The men’s Shot Put has been part of
every modern Olympics since 1896, but
women putters had to wait until 1948
before they could compete at the Games.
Shot put was an original modern Olympic
event, with American Robert Garrett
winning in 1896.
6. Uniform
Shot put participants are required to wear a
clean school or team uniform unless they are
participating in an amateur competition that
does not specify uniform requirements.
No visible jewelry is allowed in most cases,
though exceptions may be made for religious
jewelry provided it is taped to the body to
prevent movement.
Gloves cannot be worn, and the hands
cannot be taped or bandaged unless there is
a cut or other wound that needs to be
covered.
Supporting the wrists with tape is allowed.
7. Preparation
Once the competition has begun,
participants can no longer take
practice throws or engage in other
warmup activities. An exception to this
is made if the participant's coach or
other official is present to actively
monitor the warmup, though practice
throws are still prohibited once
competitors actively begin throwing
shots.
8. The Shot
Shots may vary in size, weight and material as
long as minimum requirements for their
construction are met.
The shot must be smooth and round, solid and
made of metal no softer than brass.
The shot can be a solid metal ball or can have a
shell of iron, brass or other acceptable materials
filled with lead or other heavier metals.
Shots are available in 6-, 12- and 16-pound
varieties, as well as 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-kilogram
varieties.
Shots must conform to minimum and maximum
diameters based on their weight to be allowed for
use in official USA Track and Field competitions.
9. Playing Area
When throwing a shot, competitors stand
inside of a circle 7 feet in diameter.
A sector extending from the circle is used
to determine valid throws; the two radius
lines of the sector originate from the
center of the circle and are measured at
34.92 degrees apart.
A curved white stop board is placed
within the circle between the sector lines,
serving as an indicator of the valid
throwing sector and as a warning of
where the thrower cannot cross.
10. Putting the Shot
The act of throwing a shot is known as a put and
must be performed in a certain way to be valid.
The elbow must bend to draw the shot back,
holding it near or touching the neck and chin but
not farther back than the shoulder.
The put itself is performed by extending the arm
straight to launch the shot into the air; throws that
bring the shot back or give it an overhand or
underhand circular momentum will be
disqualified.
The put must be performed within 60 seconds of
being called to enter the circle.
The thrower cannot leave the circle until the shot
has landed and the judge has called for it to be
marked.
11. Measurement
Measurement is made with a measuring
tape from the inside edge of the stop
board to the closest side of the shot once
it has landed.
If the shot lands on one of the sector
lines, a foul is called and no
measurement is made.
If the shot lands outside the sector lines,
it is out of bounds and no measurement
is made.
Measurements are to the nearest 1/4
inch or nearest 1/4 centimeter, though
individual competitions may alter this as
needed.
13. Goal One: Shot grip and
placement
1. Holding the shot
The shot is held at the
base of the fingers not
the palm
The fingers are slightly
spread apart with the
thumb for support.
The hand will be bent
back in the cocked
position when holding
the shot. It looks like
you are caring a pizza.
14. 2. Neck placement
Raise the shot above
your head
Lower the shot straight
down until it is under your
jaw
Push the shot into your
neck
Lift your elbow parallel to
the floor. Don’t squeeze
your elbow towards your
back
Check to see that your
thumb is pointing down
towards your clavicle
The palm should be
pointing towards the
throwing direction
15. Goal Two: Delivery of the shot
1.Delivery of the shot
Eyes to the ceiling
Punch the shot away from the
neck
Keep the elbow high at all
times. Lowering the elbow can
cause the shot to be thrown
like a baseball and could result
in an injury
Finish the punch with a flip of
the wrist
The left side of the body will be
stopped and locked to help
form the block
The left arm will be tucked
close to the side of the body
16. 2. Drills used to teach the
delivery
Wrist flips – Use this drill
for proper release of the
shot.
The thrower will stand
facing the sector
The thrower starts with
the shot above his head
in his throwing hand
The thrower will flip the
shot out of his hand
17. Two arm putts – Use this drill for proper
release of the shot
The thrower will stand facing the sector
Place the shot in both hands in chest pass
position
Check that the hands are behind the shot and
the thumbs are down
Push the shot out with both hands, make
sure the elbows stay high
Flip the wrists at the end of the throw
This throw can also be done with a medicine
ball
18. Arm strike – Use this drill for the arm delivery in
the shot.
The thrower will be standing tall facing the
throwing direction
The thrower will place the shot against his
neck
The thrower will sky the eyes to the ceiling and
push the shot away from his neck focusing on
driving through the shot towards the throwing
area
The thrower needs to flip the wrist at the end
19. Bent knee – Use this drill for the arm delivery
in the shot and show the importance of legs
The thrower will be facing the throwing
direction with bent knees
The thrower will place the shot against his
neck
The thrower will sky the eyes to the ceiling
and push the shot away from his neck
focusing on driving through the shot towards
the throwing area
While the thrower is pushing the shot out
he/she will push up with the legs extending
the hips out
20. Goal three: power position
1. Body position in the power position
The thrower will stand perpendicular to the throwing
direction
The feet position will be shoulder width apart or a
little wider with left foot slightly behind the right foot
(toe heel relationship)
The right foot will be perpendicular to the throwing
direction
The thrower needs to be in an athletic position
The thrower will shift 80% percent of his/her weight
onto the right leg
The thrower will twist his/her upper body completely
opposite the throwing direction. This position from up
above will look like an X
The chest, knee and toe should be in line with each
other
The thrower places the shot into his/her neck
The left arm will be extended and out from the body
with a right angle relationship to the right elbow
21. 2.Throwing from the power position
Over exaggerate the use of the legs in the throw
especially the hips
Sequence of the throw will be legs - hips - back –
arm
Push the weight from right leg to the left leg in an
upwards direction
When driving up with your legs your right heel
(hips) needs to be turned out
There will be a stretch reflex reaction between your
upper body and lower body
The upper body will start coming around
As your upper body comes around sweep the left
arm around and then bring it tight to your body
Stop the left side of your body to aid in accelerating
the shot
Deliver the shot as mentioned above
22. 3. Drills used to teach throwing from the
power position
Twists – Use this drill for warm-up and to
emphasize the importance of the legs.
The athlete faces the sector with toes pointed
straight
Place shot against the neck
Bend the knees
Twist the body to the right and down
Extend legs and hips then throw as explained
in the bent knee drill
23. 1-2 drill – Use this drill to teach the
thrower to keep the shot back on the hip.
The thrower gets into the power position
with a shot against the neck
On the command of "one" he opens his
left arm to the throwing direction and
turns his heel out. Check to see if the
shot has stayed in place at the back of
the ring
On the command of "two" the thrower
completes the throw – sling shot effect
24. Goal four: glide position
1. Body position in the glide
Stand at the back of the ring
facing away from the
throwing direction
Place shot against your neck
Put your body in an athletic
position facing away from
the sector
Extend your left arm out –
relaxed
Extend the left leg back
towards the toe board
Most of the body weight
should be on the right leg
25. 2. Gliding into the power position
Tap your left leg for balance
Draw up the left knee even with the right
knee, remember to keep the left leg
straight
Do not allow your left leg to curl behind
the right leg
Allow your hips to start to fall
Violently extend your left leg towards the
toe board, do not lift up with your back
Push and then pull your right leg
underneath you, it will look like the last
part of your body leaving the circle is
your right heel
26. 3. Drills used to teach the glide
Hip Fall – Use this drill to teach the hip fall
action in the glide
The thrower will start in an athletic position
with his right hand up against his neck and
his left hand extended out in front
The thrower will let the hips fall past his heels
Once the hips go past the heels he will pull
his legs back underneath him
27. A drill – Use for left leg drive.
Start in glide position
Drive your left leg towards the toe
board close to the ground
Straighten your right leg where the
only thing is touching is your heel
The finished position with your legs
will be an upside down Y
28. Step under – Use this drill for teaching
the glide.
The athlete will first do an A drill
On command the athlete will pull the
right leg underneath their body turning
the right foot at the same time
29. Step backs –Use this for teaching the thrower
to travel across the ring
The thrower will start in a glide position
The thrower will take one step back with
his/her right leg to the middle of the ring
The thrower will then take another step back
with the left leg towards the toe board
Make sure the shoulders do not come around
The thrower should be ready to put the shot
30. GREAT SHOT PUTTERS OF
THE OLYMPICS
Robert Garrett was the first modern Olympic
shot put champion, in 1896, with a throw
measuring 11.22 meters.
American Ralph Rose won gold medals in
1904 and 1908.
Leo Sexton IN 1932 reached the 16-meter
mark to take the gold during the first Games
held in Los Angeles.
American Randy Barnes set a world record
with a toss measuring 23.12 meters in 1990.
He's shown here celebrating his gold medal-
winning attempt during the 1996 Olympics.
World Indoor gold medalist Christian Cantwell
32. Things to be considered
Shots are only to be put on command
of the teacher. “Ready throw”
Shots may only be collected on
command of the teacher. “Collect
shots”
