Throws Training

The objective of this page is to provide some suggested programs for young or inexperienced athletes competing in the shot, discus, hammer and javelin events.

Before You Start

Prior to starting any training, it is recommended you have a medical examination to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Any application of this training program is at the athlete's own discretion and risk.

Overview

The seasons training program is based on the six phases detailed on my Planning page where each phase comprises of a repeated four week plan. The workload in the first three weeks of the plan should increase each week (easy, medium, hard) and the 4th week comprise of active recovery and tests to monitor training progress. The aim of the 4 week cycle is to build the athlete up to a level of fitness (3 weeks), allow a recovery (1 week), build you up to higher level of fitness, allow a recovery and so on. Remember a plan is athlete specific and the results of the tests in the 4th week can be used to adjust the training in the next four week cycle to address any limitations.

Coaching Points

When coaching the throws with young athletes focus on the following points:

  1. Safety first
  2. Low to high
  3. Slow to fast
  4. Hips before arms

Year Training Program

The plan is based on three training sessions per week with the major competition being in phase 5. The duration of each phase could be as follows:

  • Phase 1 - 16 weeks
  • Phase 2 - 8 weeks
  • Phase 3 - 8 weeks
  • Phase 4 - 8 weeks
  • Phase 5 - 8 weeks
  • Phase 6 - 4 weeks

The objective of each phase is as follows:

  • Phase 1 - General development of strength, mobility, endurance and basic technique
  • Phase 2 - Development of specific fitness and advanced technical skills
  • Phase 3 - Competition experience - achievement of qualification times for main competition
  • Phase 4 - Adjustment of technical model, preparation for the main competition
  • Phase 5 - Competition experience and achievement of outdoor objectives
  • Phase 6 - Active recovery - planning preparation for next season

Suggestions as to the sessions for each phase are detailed below. I leave the content of each four week cycle to you.

Key to notations and terms used

1-4 × 2-5 × 30-100m

  • 1 to 4 sets of 2 to 5 repetitions of a distance between 30 and 100 metres

Phase 1

Tuesday

  • Technique training - standing, approach, isolation, partial techniques, etc. (3-6 x 4-10 x practices).
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Thursday

  • Special exercises combining specific strength, mobility and coordination. 30 - 60 minutes
  • Basketball or Volleyball or Squash, etc. 20-40 minutes

Sunday

  • 2nd event technique
  • 20 to 30 minutes. special exercises for 2nd event
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Notes

Phase 2

Tuesday

  • Technique training - progressive intensity (increase in strength and speed). Isolation, partial technique, full throws (short approach 3-5 stride - plus full approach javelin) with varying weight of implement (both heavier and lighter by no more than 20%). 3-6 x 4-10 x practices - normal implement - partial or full throw
    or 4-6 x 4-6 x alternating weight of implement
    or 4-6 x 4-6 x alternating with/without weights jacket (5% body weight)
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Thursday

  • Special exercises combining specific strength, mobility and coordination. 30-60 minutes
  • Sprints - 3-4 x 3-4 x 30m from blocks
    or Game of basketball, football, tennis etc.

Sunday

  • 2nd event technique
  • 20 minutes special exercises for 2nd event or for 'main' event.
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Notes

Phase 3

Tuesday

Thursday

  • 3-12 x throws as required using weight equal to or lighter than competition weight
  • Selected special exercises - emphasising speed
  • 4-6 x 30m sprints

Sunday

Notes

Phase 4

Tuesday

  • Technique training - progressive intensity (increase in strength and speed). Isolation, partial technique, full throws (short approach 3-5 stride - plus full approach javelin) with varying weight of implement (both heavier and lighter by no more than 20%). 3-6 x 4-10 x practices - normal implement - partial or full throw
    or 4-6 x 4-6 x alternating weight of implement
    or 4-6 x 4-6 x alternating with/without weights jacket (5% body weight)
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Thursday

  • Special exercises combining specific strength, mobility and coordination. 30-60 minutes
  • Sprints - 3-4 x 3-4 x 30m from blocks
    or Game of basketball, football, tennis etc.

Sunday

  • 2nd event technique
  • 20 minutes special exercises for 2nd event or for 'main' event.
  • General strength - Circuit or Weight training

Notes

Phase 5

Tuesday

Thursday

  • 3-12 x throws as required using weight equal to or lighter than competition weight
  • Selected special exercises - emphasising speed
  • 4-6 x 30m sprints

Sunday

Notes

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

  • Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
  • Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
  • Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
  • Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
  • The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
  • Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
  • Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
  • Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
  • PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2