Re:Transitioning momentum in the glide - Throwing Events Discussion

I'm having a problem transition the power from my glide into my throw, currently my stand is the same distance as my full glide. Now that i've moved up to the 16lb I lose momentum in the throw and know that I am wasting energy, does anyone have any drill ideas to help me with transition the power from the glide into my throw?

It is hard to say without seeing what you are doing, but my initial thoughts are these. First, focus on velocity of your center of mass (hips/core) and not on the whole body. Shot Putters, especially, tend to think about what the shot is doing and not the body. So try to figure out where in your throw you feel as if you are losing momentum. If I had to guess, I would say if you took a picture of your stand throw (power position) and then one of your power position in your full glide, you would see two different positions. This should not be the case. It is called the power position for a reason. Often times, throwers forget this position when they are trying to just throw hard.

My other thoughts as to what you might have going on... Strength and more importantly neuromuscular efficiency (timing and coordination of firing) may be a cause. Adjusting from a 12 to 16 lbs shot is hard, not just because of the increased weight, but because your neuromuscular system has to reconfigure itself. For example, your lower body may still move at the same rate, but the upper body (arm strike) moves slower due to the extra weight; This leads to improper summation of forces. Also, you, as many high school throwers, may have been able to rely on arm strength to throw a 12 lbs shot, but may need to further incorporate the legs with the heavier weight.

Try some glides where you stop in the power position to check your position, then throw. Try some stand throws at 75-85% and focus on coordination of movements, summation of forces, and everything "hitting the top" (full extension) at the same time. Also try shortening up your glide for a bit. This reduces the effort and movement required for a full glide, which in turn minimizes the margin for error. Hope you figure things out and good luck this season!

sounds like you might be pausing a bit in the middle? maybe due to the extra weight? try starting in an extra-wide power position, and drill your right foot and right leg to be explosive after pulling it under you in your normal power position. be careful not to develop any bad habits, though, like stading up or anything like that.

I agree with wojchik and coachpeppers here. I would suggest doing what is called the "A" drill. Simply put you start out in your glide then step with your left foot as far back to the toe board as you can. You should be in a split postions. Once there take your right foot and pick your toe up off the ground so that only your heel is touching the ground. Then pull the right foot up and under you into your power postion. The idea is to feel the drive from your right foot into the power postions. Most times young throwers have not had proper glide training and when they get to their power postions they open up their hips turn their upper body and have lost all of the power generated form the initial push from the back of the circle. Doing this slowly and gradually speeding it up will help you to realize where you maybe losing some power.