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Soul Eater View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Soul Eater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 2:30am
 I find it hard to take someone serious who hasn't thrown for over a year and wants to make changes. Really I do. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jlmreddog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 8:07am
Since you like to look at  numbers,
# of competitors in 2012;
Amateur Men= 988
Master Men= 474
Lightweights= 122
Women = 239

Quit looking for the forest and enjoy the trees.
John McClure



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Borges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 8:48am
Originally posted by Soul Eater Soul Eater wrote:

 I find it hard to take someone serious who hasn't thrown for over a year and wants to make changes. Really I do. 

Kel,

  Teresa is entitled to voice her opinion, as is everyone else in this discussion. Taking a cheap shot at her to try and silence her is completely uncalled for (as was that shot at Mark trying to invalidate his opinion because of his gender). If you have an opinion, voice it and state your reasoning. If you just want to quash the discussion with cheap shots then maybe you should just ignore this thread.
Cheers,

Carlos



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bigirish01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 8:59am
Originally posted by Soul Eater Soul Eater wrote:

If you want to do well in this sport there are no shortcuts. I asked Mike Douglas(a former California A thrower from the 90's) when I first started the games so many years ago, how long does it take to get to the point where you know what your doing, he said a track and field guy would take about 2 to 3 years everyone else 5yr's and over. I think that is a true and fairly accurate statement.  You don't just go out and throw for a year and expect success and when you don't see it come, you think the implements should be changed to suit your needs. That is just not how anything works. It's like getting an A in class and not doing the homework, it's weak. Carlos you wouldn't let anyone do substandard work in your class and reward them with a good grade, they have to work for it. Same here, why change an established tradition to suit the needs of those who arn't willing to put years of effort into what this sport requires. This is a difficult sport it's not suppose to be easy.  Change is good, but I agree with Dan and Craig on this. 
 
Like starting a Mens Lightweight class....  oops Did I say that? Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote phatmiked Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 9:07am
I wonder if we will see a continued increase in the distances and heights thrown by female competitors in the Highland Games as their numbers grow, and more competitions provide women's classes?

Kinda worked out that way for men over the years.

Just another consideration.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Krazy40 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 9:15am
Originally posted by McSanta McSanta wrote:

 
 
Another question from the academic point of view: Why the slightly shorter wire?  121.5cm to 119.5cm - just over 3/4 of an inch.   I doubt it has to do with the height of the athlete -- I am thinking it might have to do with women being able to out throw wire hammer fields using the same length wire. 
 
Also, curious about history.
Is the wire shorter or is the ball smaller making the implement shorter?
 
I did a quick search(sorry, I'm not as good as C Smith at google) and nothing mentioned the length of the wire, just the full length.  I don't ever remember judges measure the wire length, nor our coaches haveing two different lengths of wire on hand. But I could be wrong.
 
IMO, the women's hammer is shorter for that reason: the ball is smaller.  Makes it easier, and more economical to have men and women use the same wire. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Borges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 9:23am
Good point Jeremy. The overall length is shorter is correct. Not sure if that is solely due to the smaller ball although I don't think so since the size of the ball varies a little depending on the specific alloy used to make the implement.

And a good point by Mike as well. The men's records really moved as participation went up. I expect the same thing with the women.
Cheers,

Carlos



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Krazy40 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 9:34am
The mixed gender class with "equel" weigths would be interesting.  Could you imagine the amount of trash talking Matt V would do to A Train to get in her head?  Also, how much more motivated would the guys be to not "get beat by a girl" 
Craig makes a good point though...is a woman throwing farther then you with half the weight make you feel like less of a thrower? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sammy68123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 10:06am
Originally posted by Krazy40 Krazy40 wrote:

Craig makes a good point though...is a woman throwing farther then you with half the weight make you feel like less of a thrower? 
If a female golfer teeing off from the women's boxes on the golf course beat you, how would you take that?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Soul Eater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 10:06am
Carlos it was a stupid idea you came up with 12 years ago and it still is, the only reason your being a cheerleader is because it was your idea.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Borges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 12:00pm
Kel,
 
  Not sure where I was being a cheerleader so please point out to me exactly where in this thread I suggested or even supported changing the weight of the women's hammer.
 
  By the way, your carefully reasoned and detailed arguments are what make you such a treasure to the highland games.
Cheers,

Carlos



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote C. Smith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 12:12pm
Originally posted by Sammy68123 Sammy68123 wrote:

If a female golfer teeing off from the women's boxes on the golf course beat you, how would you take that?


The same that I would feel if a female was throwing something lighter the same distance or farther.  It doesn't matter because it's not the same thing. 

Do you really think the female wins in that case when she essentially played a course that was 400 yards shorter?

That's why I have so much respect for the girls who have throw/have been been willing to throw the men's weights to compete.  It's a level playing field for all and they just wanted to be out there competing.  It wasn't about winning or making it fair.     

This certainly isn't a knock against the women, but it is what it is.  My wife has been quite successful in strength sports, but she would never  think that she beat a guy at something if she was given easier conditions.  I find it hard to believe there are female athletes that would think otherwise, but maybe there are. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sammy68123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 12:58pm
Originally posted by C. Smith C. Smith wrote:


My wife has been quite successful in strength sports, but she would never  think that she beat a guy at something if she was given easier conditions. 
 
I agree when conditions and implements are the same.
 
But it has been fun to watch sheaf events where the women have thrown alongside a men's class in the flight on the field and to have the super women (NOT including me, for sure) still be in the competition after all the men of the flight are out. 
Teresa Merrick
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 1:40pm
Why doesn't someone ask, oh, about 100 female throwers what  THEY want?

And no, I'm not volunteering.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The Queen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 2:08pm
Alan, McSanta did a survey a few years back. You can do a search to find the thread where he posted the results. Or perhaps he will repost them. As I recall the results favored leaving the weights as they are.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nathan Parker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 2:10pm
...or just throw what's been given to you, what's been given to those before you. Otherwise you discredit those who paved the way for you have this opportunity.

My 2 cents.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 4:58pm
Queen, I remember reading Adriane responding to this issue with a "negative"....as in, don't change the weights. Now Heather MacD. has echoed that response. I seem to recall seeing the survey you mentioned.

I'm not sure why the issue keeps coming up.

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By the way, I propose that women under 140 pounds not be allowed to spin in the weight over bar event.

Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bigirish01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 6:14pm
Originally posted by Borges Borges wrote:

Kel,
 
  Not sure where I was being a cheerleader so please point out to me exactly where in this thread I suggested or even supported changing the weight of the women's hammer.
 
  By the way, your carefully reasoned and detailed arguments are what make you such a treasure to the highland games.
 
I quite enjoy Kel and his presence at the Highland Games. He doesnt hide behind a keyboard. You never have to wonder what he's thinking.
Jay "Big Daddy" O'Neill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote McSanta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/09/13 at 10:19pm
Originally posted by Krazy40 Krazy40 wrote:

Is the wire shorter or is the ball smaller making the implement shorter?

D'oh 

<in my best Homer voice>
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Silverback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/10/13 at 8:39am
Kel may be the nicest person in our sport.  Not banging on you Carlos, but just saying.   1 set of impliments for all is equality.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote McSanta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/10/13 at 8:10pm
As for the hammer survey, I can put up a link but rather not --- The survey was not flawless and would be unfair to those who support the traditional hammer weights as it actually showed a higher % wanted them lowered.  

Writing survey questions to solicit unbiased results is difficult.  I think I could have done a better job, never the less I did try to be unbiased.

Also, if an unbiased survey could be done today, the results would be different.  Both my clarification of the nature of women hammers (this thread) and the concerted lobbying and education effort by those who support the traditional hammers may sway results to both sides (or not). 

If survey results did change, what would that prove?  

It still boils down to two competing traditions - 
(a) the traditional of women in the games and the use of the current hammer weights and all of its baggage 
VS 
(b) The tradition embedded in Heavy Athletics of contrasts between heavy and light implements implies that the weights should change, and  all of its baggage.





Edited by McSanta - 4/10/13 at 9:32pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Soul Eater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/10/13 at 10:27pm
This is why I'm a highland games treasure, and why my reasoning is screwed up and why I think this idea is not wise now so, more that ever. In the last couple years the highland games have collected a few more countries like Germany, Holland, Iceland I assume their are women throwers in NZ, AUS, Canada and Scotland as well with masters womens. You might change the weights in the US however you need to get these other countries on board to have any kind of major championships because it could become a disadvantage due to different timing that is required to throw different weights.  This is why the sheaf is not contested in a world championship because many places don't throw it and it would be considered a spoiler. 

The implements have been around a long time now,  I would guess 20+ years, I would say that a tradition has been established.  I would guess that many of the top women would not be for the change because they want the records.  I can see how a newer less skilled athlete might think the idea of throwing a smaller implement would be beneficial but also not as challenging. Turning this sport into track and field makes it more like track and field and that is less like highland games. If you want complete standardization then throw 4 events in track and field. Turning this sport into the special olympics where everyone is a winner is not the direction this sport should go and we shouldn't knuckle under everytime someone can't cut it, and rise to the challange.  I think that you are looking at a small population who wants this change and it is never any of the top female throwers who are in a the Open class and Masters.  You want to throw the hammer better wind wind wind use straight arms remember to breath through the event don't gasp for air or hold your breath because this will cause your muscles to shorten and do lots of ab work. 

Myles and Jay I love you. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Steve Conway Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 9:13am
Damn...does this mean our bromance is an "open relationship" 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Soul Eater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 10:20am
No, Steve "THEIR CAN ONLY BE ONE" Jay and hoss are already in one, I'm not sure who Myles is in a Bromance with, maybe that Baab guy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jsully Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 10:26am
Originally posted by Soul Eater Soul Eater wrote:

and do lots of ab work. 
 
its a good thing you didn't lead off with this, or I would have missed the entire post.. lol
 
ab work? I call that hammer practice
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote jlmreddog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 10:31am
Cue the Barry White music...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Borges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 11:28am
Cheers,

Carlos



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Soul Eater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 11:49am
I'm a Zep head through and through, John. Jake you see many programs on here about lifting, most people are doing similar things. I don't look at the training logs at all so I really have no idea what is posted their but in the general thread forum core exercises are eluded to, but thats it(Craig's gavel might come down hard on me and he might show me 10 references to ab work that I missed in the last month, I apoligise Craig). I really haven't met anyone who really lives for doing core, it's a means to an end. And we all realize that you get core through the Oly and powerlifts, but a old fashioned ab routine not much info. Yes winding is good core. I was very fortunate to get to Know Matt Sandford a little during his time here and he told me that he use to hammer wind 75 pounds with a handle and plates. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jsully Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:01pm
Originally posted by Soul Eater Soul Eater wrote:

he told me that he use to hammer wind 75 pounds with a handle and plates. 
 
this is impressive.
 
I used to do "core" a lot.. now it's just whenever I have time. Between pulling, front squats, hammer practice, stones, etc my core gets pretty toasted. I'm just going to say that if I train core directly I'll be overtraining.
 
exaggerated? yep. but it's my story and I'm sticking to it. hahaha
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bigirish01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:02pm
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