[Kebba Tolbert]

Kebba Tolbert on August 22, 2004 at 8:02 am #9680

Don’t know how many throws coaches are on here…. but does anyone know how many of the top 12 for men and women were gliders vs. spinners?

[dma1973]

dma1973 on August 22, 2004 at 8:49 am #31894

Can’t give you exact figures, but I saw two gliders in the mens finals (I think). Rotation has become the predominant style in elite shot put. Why? Speed probably.

Women I can’t answer, but historically what I have seen are women tend to be dominated more by gliders

[Mike Young]

Mike Young on August 22, 2004 at 11:22 am #31895

I think there were at least 4 gliders in the mens final (including the winner). I’m not sure about the women but in the past couple championships, women’s finals have been about 60% gliders while only 30% of the throwers in the men’s finals have used the glide technique.

As a side note, in all my research on the event I can say without hesitation that it is possible to throw equally far with either technique (and the all-time performance lists reflect this). I think there are several reasons that the spin has gained such widespread popularity. The first of these is because of the different type of athlete who are coming to the event as compared to the 70s through late 80s. I think that the spin tends to be better for what would typically be considered a “great athlete” as opposed to just a strong athlete. On a related note, I think the glide requires much more strength to throw as far as with the spin so the combination of decreased drug usage and decreased emphasis on strength development have made the spin the easier technique to use for achieving the desired results. Finally, over the past 15 years the spin technique has been refined to the point that it is no longer just a copy of a discus spin but almost a completely separate animal.

ELITETRACK Founder

[Kebba Tolbert]

Kebba Tolbert on August 23, 2004 at 6:53 am #31896

Mike,

I would definately agree with what you said. I almost cringe when I hear college coaches say… “I can’t wait till I change xxx to the spin they’ll be great…”

It’s not like they’re going from the western rolll to the Flosbury Flop….

[throwman]

throwman on August 25, 2004 at 10:29 am #31897

Good Points..

I just dont like the whole “change” word…. If the athlete has the ability to learn/work on the rotation, great. Doesnt have to be a change involved.. During this learning process, the athlete can continue to work(compete) with the glide technique. The spin is not for every athlete.. not every athlete has the balance and/or body awareness to be successfull with the rotational shot.

For those non-believers of the glide shot at this day and age, just watch some videos on throwfarther.com of the DiGiorgio kids.. mastered the glide!! incredible speed, incredible right foot/leg, incredible position, incredible throws!!!

also….argh!!

When i hear mike say “reduced drug use” i have to sadly question the statement based on the sad,sad state of drugs within T&F today…

im just so fed up.. Womens Gold Shot Putter..Mens Gold Discus… both disgraced!! sad..

i dont even think its a question of who’s doing drugs today, but who gets caught!! seriously! how can we seriously think that anyone at this level isnt doing something ?

im sick of hearing it already..takes so much away from the sport..

Mike

PS: sorry to post such a negative post, but its just how im feeling about it..

Mike

[Mike Young]

Mike Young on August 25, 2004 at 11:38 am #31898

I know the drug busts are disheartening and I know the sport is by no means clean but I can assure you it’s no where near as dirty as it was in the 70s through late 80s.

ELITETRACK Founder