DISCUS DELIVERY GROUND

CONTACT OR NOT?
By Klaus Bartonietz
This commentary is a very brief summary of an article written by the author on one
of the most hotly debated topics in the throwing community. From Leichtathletik
Training (Germany) Vol. 11, No. 4, April 2000. Re-printed with permission from
Modern Athlete and Coach.
In an analysis of the discus throw at the 1999 World Championships the author
discusses, among other biomechanical aspects, the final delivery action from a
position of ground contact and without ground contact (standing and jumping
deliveries). The advantages and disadvantages of these two delivery techniques
have been debated for many decades, as top level performance have been
achieved from the ground support action, as well as from the spectacular jumping
delivery.
Although the release velocity in the two techniques is achieved in slightly different
ways, the final results in comparable distances remain virtually undistinguished. A
possibly higher release height in the jumping technique has such a limited
influence that it does not provide an argument in favor of this action. However,
looking at a recommended release angle of around 35 degrees appears to indicate
that this would be easier to achieve from a supported delivery. The ground contact
technique provides required conditions for a long final acceleration path. This is, in
comparison to the jumping delivery, more favourable for the propping leg action to
brake the body movement and to develop tension.
The typically narrow delivery position in the jumping technique is actually a
disadvantage for the required flat release of the discus because of the steeper
direction of the ground reaction forces. On the other hand, this technique has an
advantage in a very explosive legwork in the final acceleration of the upper body
and the throwing arm.
A rotation of the total body, or parts of the body, around the vertical axis after the
delivery indicates unused reserves of the rotational energy. A full rotation after the
jumping delivery differs here from the limited upper body rotation in the standing
technique. This rotation cant be avoided because of the balance of forces at the
moment of the delivery in non-support system changes suddenly. The loss of
ground contact occurs in the jumping delivery at the same time or just before the
discus leaves the hand.
As it stands, leading discus throwers are using the non-support, as well as ground
contact delivery actions. Independent of the preference towards one of the two
variations, it is important that the basic elements of the target technique are
achieved.