MEADOWBANK THROWS WORKSHOP

MEADOWBANK THROWS WORKSHOPThe Throws course went ahead, despite the weather on Sunday, 28th November.Chris Black (Olympic Hammer Thrower) gave an entertaining but very informative chat about throws, ably backed by Derek Kasselstrand (USA Discus Thrower). Unfortunately, we had to advise Robert Wilkie (Top Javelin Coach) not to take the risk of travelling through from Helensburgh due to the snow conditions. Robert is keen to come through to Meadowbank for a workshop in the New Year.Chris and Derek both strongly advised the coaches attending that the first priority to ensure that young athletes became top Senior Athletes was to spend more attention on correcting technique rather than spending the time making the athletes stronger. A strong young athlete will get quick results but if the technique is poor they will not progress to good senior level.  Chris displayed a number of videos of top throwers and highlighted the faults especially of how many were “off balance” when competing. Chris and Derek explained that many throwers were confused by understanding what coaches tried to teach them. Coaches often ask athletes to put their weight on “one foot / leg or the other” when they actually meant that the “forces” should be applied through the foot. Changing the weight leads the athlete to being off balance and not being in a position to execute a good throw / putt. Another major error is athletes are looking at the ground when they are about to release the implement which again interfered with the performances.               Poor performances are often related to the timing of the various aspects of the throw, young athletes always seem to be in a hurry to get rid of the implement rather than wait until the full range is completed.Chris and Derek both showed their knowledge and experience was very valuable and must be shared if the standard of throws is to be improved. Scotland has never produced a Commonwealth Medallist at the Commonwealth Games, we would hope that this will improve for the 2014 Games in Glasgow.Bill Walker, Head Coach EAC, had commented that most of the points raised at this workshop would also apply to all the other athletic disciplines and he was pleased to see five of the coaches attending were “non-throws” coaches.Bill Walker