Evolution of the Discus

The art and basic idea of the discus has evolved greatly throughout the years. When this event first originated in the eighteenth Olympiad in the year 708 B.C., it was not very organized (McNab, 150). Not only was the event only for grown men, but also there were very few rules. The athletes that competed in the discus also had to perform in the pentathlon, which was an event that incl

For an athlete to become the best he can be, he must have certain guidelines to follow. Without these fundamentals, is would be very difficult to be successful in the sport of discus. “A long discus throw seems and looks seamless and easy, one long smooth natural movement” (Wilkins, 5). But it is a complex interaction of movements. To further explain, you must know the four basic fundamentals used in throwing. This consists of the windup, balance, orbit, and the block (Wilkins, 5).

The next, and maybe the most important factor is balance. Proper balance at the back of the circle maximizes leverage of the right leg and right arm (Wilkins, 7). Without proper balance a successful throw cannot occur. If a thrower has a good release and windup, but cannot control his balance, the throw is changed completely. This is a major cause for fouls in competition, or throwing out of the sector lines. Once the balance is mastered, the thrower can move on to the next important fundamental: learning the proper orbit.

You need an opposing force away from the direction of the throw to transfer energy to the discus (Wilkins, 8). This method is like hitting a brick wall, so that is why they call it the block. This is done by transferring all the weight onto your right leg at the end of the throw. This motion will stop all your momentum and keep you from fouling, or stepping out of the ring. A thrower who is dedicated to improving himself can find no way around any of these fundamentals. All the following athletes have proved that these points are key to becoming a good thrower.

One of the earliest legends in throwing was a young man by the name of James Duncan. Duncan has been credited as the first official world record holder, with a throw of 156 feet (McNab, 150). The feat was accomplished in the 1912 Olympics, and helped the United States begin its dynasty is the discus throw. Until 1941, when the Italian, Adolfo Consolini, took the record with 175 feet, the world record had been almost exclusive property of the United States. Then shortly after in 1946, the American sensation Robert Fitch regained the record (McNab, 151).

To transmit power to the discus, your arm must be as long a lever as possible, and the discus must travel through the correct path, or orbit (Wilkins, 8). The orbit is mainly dependent on the action of the thrower’s arm. The arm is the lever; the left shoulder is the fulcrum. The arm must stay ninety-degrees from the body to produce proper release (Wilkins, 8). A proper release and orbit is key to a successful and smooth throw. Once a thrower has made his release he will need to develop a way to stop his momentum before falling out of the throwing circle.

In the 1968 Olympics, he threw 212 feet, more than five feet farther than he had ever thrown it before, and decided he had done everything he could in his sport (Johnson, 109). Only two years later, he found himself back in the ring training again. In 1972 he thought about trying for a fifth Olympics, but said he was past his prime and let the dream go (Johnson, 109). But once again, Oerter began searching for ways he could get back into throwing. In 1976, his will to once again throw grew too much and he found himself using steroids to get and edge (Johnson, 109). Despite his efforts, not even steroids gave him what he needed. He said throwing the discus is “all in the mind, and not in the body” (Johnson, 109).

Some topics in this essay:
East German, , Robert Fitch, Ancient Greece, Ancient Greeks, Olympic Games, Roe Wilkins, Roe Oerter, Al Oerter, Duncan Duncan, world record, mcnab 150, johnson 109, mcnab 153, wilkins 1, left leg, roe wilkins 1, roe wilkins, al oerter, world record holder, wilkins 8, throwing discus, roe oerter 1, hips ahead shoulders, olympic hall fame,