- The shot is a steel ball weighing 7.26 kilograms, or just over 16 pounds, for men and 4 kilograms, or almost 9 pounds, for women. Size and weight vary based on age group competitions. The shot putter stands in a ring about 6.5 feet across and throws the shot into a triangular pit area. Whoever throws the shot farthest without stepping out of the ring is the winner.
Both techniques begin with holding the shot in virtually the same position. The shot is held in the base of the fingers, not in the palm, and placed under the chin against the putter's neck. - The glide technique begins with the putter lined up in the ring at the farthest point away from the pit. The putter then kicks one leg backward toward the throwing area, shifting the weight toward the front of the circle and pushing the shot out as far as possible. The glide technique is usually taught to new throwers first as the skills are easier to learn.
- The rotational or spin technique evolved from the same technique used to throw the discus. Some throwers realized that they could utilize their speed to better effect by spinning their bodies around the ring and using that momentum to push the shot out into the pit. The thrower sets up at the back of the ring facing away from the throwing area, then spins away from the throwing hand toward the front of the ring. This technique, while very effective at generating throwing power, has a higher risk of fouling when the throwing carries the thrower's weight through the front of the ring.
- The basic rules of the shot put event are: throw the shot as far as you can without stepping out of the throwing circle. Most events begin with each competitor taking three attempts. Larger events might have a qualifying round of three throws, with the finalists getting three more throws to produce their best efforts.
Basics
Glide
Spin
Rules
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