Throwing Only - Hammer Winds

Print Page | Close Window

Hammer Winds

Printed From: Nasgaweb
Category: Nasgaweb Forums
Forum Name: Throwing Only
Forum Discription: This forum is only for discussions that relate to throwing such as results, technique, and records.
URL: http://www.nasgaweb.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13878
Printed Date: 3/26/26 at 10:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.11 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Hammer Winds

Posted By: captjamie
Subject: Hammer Winds
Date Posted: 5/07/11 at 4:04pm

How many winds do you take with the hammer both your release?
I was following the VP Productions viedo that states you should take 3 winds, but I have noticed that a lot of throwers only due 2. So I decide to try 2 and low and behold I am getting about 5 Feet more in my throws. I know that when I do 3 winds my speed falls off a little just before the release. So I am curious as to what you guys do and why.

Replies:

Posted By: Wayne Hill
Date Posted: 5/07/11 at 11:54pm

Three winds is something to strive for, because if your motion and acceleration are right, three will pretty much maximize your distance. With that said, though, you should practice lots of things in training: try single-turn throws (which can be enlightening), two-turn throws, three-turn throws, continuous winds, winding in the opposite direction, and so forth. In a games, use what gives you the best distance at that point in your training.

-------------
"We may be small, but we're slow." - MIT Rugby

Posted By: will barron
Date Posted: 5/08/11 at 12:04am

Some throwers have thrown very far with two winds. But the ones that I
know of - ultimately switched to three and threw even further. The key to
making the three winds work with max speed is really staying long and
loose (and pretty low intensity) with the first wind. Then the second wind
is where you add some heat. When I wind, I think 50% effort on wind 1,
80% on wind 2 and 100% on three.

take a look at Bruce Aitkens' first wind in the hammer. Specifically the
extra reach he gets as his arms are about to pass his right hip. The speen
and intensity is low but the path he sets for the winds is why I think he is
the World Record holder. that and his 10' arms...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZMa0xE0CnU

I love watching that throw...hard to believe a 22# hammer can move that
fast.

Posted By: DaleGehman
Date Posted: 5/08/11 at 3:11pm

I think it depends a lot on how you're using your winds as to the value of them. I've managed to get PR's in the last couple of years by finally figuring out what gives me the best speed in both the LH and HH, and they're not the same. In HH, I build speed in each of the 4 rotations I do in a pretty linear fashion, starting with turn 1, which is just relaxed and setting up the orbit of the hammer. For LH, though, I've found I can't handle the speed I reach for a very long time, so my first 2 winds are just easy, relaxed, telling myself to keep long and loose. Wind 3 is more like 70%, and wind 4 is 100%. It's kinda like grip-and-rip, with 2 set up easy winds.

Having said all that, do you get good speed now? Can you handle that without losing balance or pulling in? I think those answers and your own ability will be important to deciding what works best for you. Good luck.

-------------
Partner in JDJ Caber Co. "Proudly serving the Scottish Heavy Athlete with fine cabers for sale. No orders too large or too small."

Posted By: JSiau10
Date Posted: 5/11/11 at 4:30pm

I think this is another one of those things that changes from person to person. from what I've seen, the more winds you can do the better, but if you are losing your footing or your momentum trying to get to 5 spins, you're probably better off letting loose sooner, even if that's only 2. personally I do three spins because any more than that and I lose momentum. that being said, you couldn't go terribly wrong getting some boot spikes. if you can gain that extra stability, it should help you keep your balance for more spins.

-------------
I'm just an idiot, pretending to be smart.

Posted By: Tommi
Date Posted: 5/20/11 at 2:02pm

It is for sure something weird to move to 3 spins. The
reason you are probably throwing further with less is
because of control. It's hard to keep it in the right
groove and control the hammer when you take more spins.
It's kind of similar to taking a super fast first spin in a
2-spin WFD.. Just like the first spin can be a little
slower you should do exactly like will barron said. Take it
slow and keep perfect form on the first pull, start adding
love to the second, and then rip it through on the third

-------------
Tommi.Kitchens.