Technique Help?

Bryce,

I'm not too many steps past where you are right now, so I still very much appreciate the struggle you are having with some of the basics.  I'm sure the more experienced guys will weigh in, but I'll get this started.

First -- you are better off than you think.  You have some raw power.

Second -- the current state of awesome for training materials is this:  http://hgcontrarianapproach.com/
Even the pros on NASGA rate it highly, and I haven't heard of anyone who has tried it that hasn't gotten some value out of it.  Get the DVD / book combo if you can, and it will set you on a good path.

Third -- for free, check out the TRAINING LOGS section and look for the guys that regularly post throwing videos on YouTube.  Duncan McCallum and jsully (Jake Sullivan) immediately come to mind, but there are many others.  Jake in particular often does slow motion breakdowns of his throws, and Duncan is great about showing many throws in a row so you can spot patterns.

Last -- specifics, that I (as a B level thrower strugging toward A) see:

Hammer -- I'll give you a three specific things to try.  Try them one at a time in this order.

• Start with the hammer head further behind you, say 45° back from your right foot.  This will help you keep the low point in the orbit in front of your right foot.  That in turn will help the high point be over your left shoulder.
• Incrementally increase the speed during your winds.  Let the first one just be to get the hammer moving and the successive ones to accelerate.  The way I was coached was - slow, medium, fast. (if you are doing three winds).  Saying those words while you do it will also help you not hold your breath.
• Stop looking at the ground, and when you do your final wind to release, make sure to pull up.  You are throwing flat, which the way all of us start.  You want your hands high when you release.

Stones -- these actually look pretty good.  You need to turn your hand on the stone, so that your fingers are pointing into your neck and your elbow is up though.  It seemed completely contrary to me to do that when I first started out, but it will help you throw with your body rather than your arm.  Watch Jake's and Duncan's videos and focus on the position of their arms.  Think of giving the stone a sideways high-five.

HWFD -- you are also throwing it with your arm here, and that will only get you so far.  I have just recently figured out how to throw with my body, and it took a long time for it to make sense to me.  What worked to finally make it click was really bending at the knees and driving with my legs.  I quit thinking about what my arm was doing and made it completely about foot work.  The only time I thought about the weight was to note its position so that I knew when to move my feet.  Something like that may help, but WFD is still my nemesis as well.  Once again check out Jake's and Duncan's videos. 

Good luck and stay at it.  Also where are you located?  You may have a more experienced thrower nearby.

Tom

Go to the masa site. That's where the VA throwers hang out. Get in touch with Bryan McClain/great guy/good coach/and a sexy beast(in a prison sex/oz type of way)