The Javelin Throw: All-Pro Info for Javelin Throwers!

The Beijing Olympics brought together some of the top male and female

javelin throwers in the world!


However,


Qualifying for the men's final took place in heavy, heavy rain which took it's

tole on the world's best male spearchuckers.

Top throwers found themselves fighting for a solid block leg on an

incredibily slippery javelin run-up.
For more on the rain, click the article link below:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/trackandfield/news/newsid=241907.html





Canadian Scott Russell Lead the qualifying with a throw of 80 meters and change.

Though he managed a seasonal best of 73.68 meters, American Breaux Greer
just missed out on the final.

Men's Group A Qualifying List:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/AT/C73R/ATM053901.shtml#ATM053901

Men's Group B Qualifying List:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/AT/C73R/ATM053902.shtml#ATM053902





The women enjoyed better qualifying distances without any drama from the

weather that played quite an influential role in Beijing.


Women's Group A Qualifying List:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/AT/C73R/ATW053901.shtml#ATW053901

Women's Gourp B Qualifying List:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/AT/C73R/ATW053902.shtml#ATW053902







Here's How They Finished In Beijing

They'll be discussion and analysis



of the top thrower performances coming soon

at www.throwjavelin.com

My focus with this lens is to offer you everything I know about javelin. I'm an x-national level javlein thrower turned professional fitness consultant and certified core training specialist.

We're going to discuss the goal of this sport, how to throw javelin from the ground up, the equipment you use, how modern javelin throw technique and training is changing, innovations in the field, and so much more!

The focus of javelin is to throw an 800g spear (men) or 600g spear (women) as far as possible from a run-up that can be up to 30 meters long without crossing the line at the end of the run-up known as the scratch line.

The javelin thrower must also land the javelin in a sector measuring just under 30 degrees wide that extends out from the front corners of the javelin run-up. This helps throwers focus their efforts and cuts down on the possibility of errant javelin throws.

Here are the current world records for javelin:

Men's Javelin: Jan Zelezny: 98.48m
Czech Republic 25 May 1996 Jena, Germany

Women's Javelin: Osleidys Menendez: 71.70m
Cuba 14 August 2005 Helsinki, Finland

Here's a quick look at the 5 phases of a javelin throw.

There are tips, tricks and technique recommendations to help you launch every javelin throw you take!

Phase #1: Running Head-On Approach Steps: (Typically comprised of 8-10 head on running steps while carrying the javelin overhead)

During the phase, the athlete is focusing on light, short running strides used to build up speed for the throw. This is the only phase where the athlete is going to be picking up speed. By the time you hit your cross-steps, you should be going as fast as you need to go and should simply be maintaining that speed during your cross steps.

Quick points about the first phase:
These points should be refined in practice until they're second nature.
· These are light, short, bounding steps.
· Focus on keeping the throwing arm loose and visualizing how light the javelin is.
· It's ok to keep your eyes focused on your first transition mark to your cross steps if you're a beginner. Once you improve, try to keep your eyes focused on the horizon. (In other words, this means keeping your eyes fairly low. You don't want to be looking up in the air. Try to look on a about a 15-degree angle up from the ground).

Phase #2: Cross-Steps. You should step into your cross-steps with your foot on the non- throwing side. For example: If you're right handed, as your left foot steps down, you withdraw the javelin as your right foot swings through to begin your first cross step. Most throwers will complete 2-3 cross-steps before they deliver the throw.

Use your front arm: As your cross steps get going, use your front arm to set the rhythm. It should be like a conductor's arm perfectly controlling the pace and the rhythm of each cross-step. Use it vigilantly during your cross-steps and from then on for the rest of the phases of your throw.

Cross-Step Quick Points:
· Maintain the speed you built up during the first phase-don't try to go faster
· Use your front arm like a conductor to set the rhythm and timing of your cross-steps

Phase #3: Penultimate Stride.
The penultimate stride is the last step of your cross steps. It's more powerful and pronounced to allow you to land both feet in quicker succession as you throw. If you're right handed, your penultimate stride would be performed with your left foot. Thus, you would be pushing off of your left foot to land on right foot (your drive leg) and then your left leg once again (your block leg).

Make sure you focus on going forward during your penultimate stride and not up. Don't try to go up. This is misuse of physics that will have a detrimental effect on your throwing position and the distance you throw. Think of this stride as a longer forward stride and you'll be fine.

Drive Leg:
As you land on your drive leg, your drive leg foot should be turned out no more than 45 degrees to the side. Any more than that and you lose muscle recruitment potential-not good. You should also not be sinking on your drive leg unless you're a beginner in which case this is normal and it will naturally refine itself over time.

Block Leg:
There's a belief that your block leg needs to lock out when you use it during a given throw. This belief is somewhat true in that you block leg will fully lock out eventually but when you first put it down, just allow it to land in its natural position (slightly bent). As you deliver the throw and travel up and through your block leg, it will lock out naturally. The key point here is that you can't get any energy out of an already locked out block when you first land on it so make sure you're not trying to land on a locked block leg.

Recovery phase: I can't stress this enough: Don't step on or over the white line ;)
Ok, ok, there is something you should know about your recovery phase. Your finished recovery position should be about ½ a meter from the scratch line. As you improve, you may be able to finish a bit closer to the scratch line however, expect it to take a little time before you're only sacrificing less than a foot on each and every throw. In the meantime, try to aim for about a ½ meter of leftover track between you and the scratch line at the end of your recovery phase after you've released the javelin.

Javelins:

There are a variety of javelins you can use as a thrower. The key is to pick a javelin with a distance rating that fits with the distances you're throwing. if you're throwing 50 meters, you'd want to purchase a "50 meter rated" javelin. Sandvik, Apollo, OTE, Gill, Raita and Polinak are all popular javelin brands.

Javelin Shoes:

Javelin shoes make a HUGE difference when it comes to throwing big! Having a comfortable javelin shoe will help you avoid injury and add control which will transfer into bigger distances.

Tuff Skin:

Tuff skin is an athletic adhesive spray many top throwers spray on their fingers to get a better grip on the binding of the javelin. Tuff skin can be found at many sports equipment and sports medicine stores.

Chalk:

Many javelin throwers will also use chalk on their hands to get a better grip on the javelin binding. chalk can be found at most stores that sell weight lifting equipment.

Experiment with tuff skin and chalk to see which one you like best.

The Top Javelin Throw Site on the Web! ;)

If you're looking to add big distance to your javelin throwing almost instantly, then you want to check out my javelin throwing site.

It's got all kinds of information to help you become a better javelin thrower including:
Weight Training,
Nutrition,
Core Training,
Recovery Tips,
Drills,
Javelin Exercise of the Month,
Free Articles,
Javelin Hall of Fame

and tons more...

Check it out when you get the chance: www.throwjavelin.com

You can also join as a Free Member!

Did you know there's one simple, effective way to use your core to throw the javelin farther? This technique can literally add distance the very second you learn it! It's simple, effective and functional not only to your throwing, but to every aspect of your entire training program.

I taught this technique in one hour to a thrower. They started using it and added mega distance right in front of me!

Here's the secret: Suck in your gut! That's it! Just draw in your stomach as if you're trying to make yourself skinny. This helps engage some of the key core muscles in your abdominal area. Having these muscles engaged while you throw will help you achieve more speed and stability during your throw, which should definitely transfer into big increases in distance!

Get more articles like this from my site, (which is listed just above this article)Click Here.