I F ^ ^ I 3;1I2-114 1967

c byi.AAF

THE XIVTH C O N G R E S S OF THE EUROPEAN ATHLETICS

COACHES ASSOCIATION (EACA)

Aix-les-Bains/France - 13th-19th January 1987

Helmar Hommel

The 14th Congress of the EACA

focussed on the throwing events. At
least 230 participants from 30 coun-
thes entered the Congress, among
them observers from five continents:
coaches from Algeha, Australia,
Marocco, New Zealand. People's Re-
public of China, Puerto Rico and the
USA.
The President of the European Ath-
letic Association, Sir Arthur Gold.
opened the Congress, organized by
the French Athletic Federation and the
magazine "Amicale des Entraineur
Frangais d'Athletisme" in connection
with the President of the EACA, the
BAAB Director of Coaching Frank W.
Dick,
The following lectures, available in a
Congress Report (French and English)
of "Amicale des Entraineur Frangais
d Athletisme", were presented dunng
the Congress:

David Ottley (GBR):

Experience of the new javelin
and changes of technique
Ottley presenied his own experi-
ences and observations. His opinion is
that the strength training will not
change very much but in future the
11^ components of the technique as well
an the throwing velocity will come to
the fore. Videos of world best javelin
throwers complemented his speech.
Rene Diddens (BEL):
"Old" javelin vs "new" javelin
Differences of 5 % have been found
throwing a 70m javelin. The optimal
angle of throwing is greater with the
new javelin, the new javelin is less sen-
sitive to divergences from the op-
timum. The most important change is
the disappearance of the influence of
optimal conditions for throwing pertor-
mance. At least there will be no
changes in javelin throwing.
Esa Utriainen (FIN):
Differences in men's
and women's training
Uthainen referred to the social role
of women in Finland. Negative attitude
to the strength training and missed ex-
perience of throwing by girts have to be
worked on first of all. Therefore dunng
the beginning phase of the training the
quantity of throwing is much more im-
portant than the quality. Information on
the number of throws and the weights
of equipment completed a sample of
a year's pehodisation.
Art Vanegas(USA):
Rotational shot put technique
Rotational shot put technique is
dominating in the USA. Vanegas
spoke on the technique and com-
plemented his lecture with a short
review of the training programme of an
athlete. Rotational technique seems to
be easier, especially for lighter and
shorter athletes; They argue that they
can achieve longer throws, use lighter
weights duhng training, that training is
easier, that no excessive strength is
necessary, and that it is easier to
obtain competition. These athletes
also are able to train alone with high in-
tensities and long throws.
Giles Cometti (FRA):
The scientific basis
of modern musculation
A basic view of the mechanism of
strength was followed by an illustration
of the methods to develop it. Different
combined modes of work of the
muscles were compared. Strength
training with the aid of computers
(Sportronic) was the final section of the
lecture,
Jaroslaw Smid (TCH);
Preparation of an elite woman
shot put athlete
Smid presented the long term prep-
aration of Helena Fibingerova. In his
opinion there are no differences be-
tween men and women in training. He
showed the components of the prep-
aration that are equivalent: physical,
technical, psychological and regener-
ation. He explained all four compo-
nents by focussing on the physical pre-
paration. A sample of a weekly plan
completed his lecture.
ruiac Wilkins (USA):
Technique conditioning drills
for the discus
Wilkins explained the four moments
of discus technique from his point of
view and gave additional hints on
wrong movements and how to correct
them. On this basis of knowledge of
technique he deschbed and de-
monstrated several dhlls: wind up with
barbells, balance dhlls, orbit dhlls and
drills to improve the block.
Jan Vrabei (TCH):
Technical problems of discus
throwing on high level performance
The qualily of discus throwing
technique, especially among men, has 113
 declined in the last two decades, both
in absolute terms and in relation to the
other throwing events. The reasons for
this include a lack of technique
training, bad coordination of move-
ments, and poor strength training. The
most important factors though are the
complexity of the last phase of
movement in the throw and what
Vrabei calls the "spite" of discus
throwing technique. Vrabei explained
the concept and gave hints for
technique training.
Lothar Hillebrand (GDR):
Technical differences between men
and women in throwing the discus
The differences between male and
female throwers were shown by
examples of Jürgen Schult and Diana
Sachse, both the best GDR-throwers
of the last year. The authors of the
paper deschbed the basic conception
of suitable technique from the point of
view of biomechanies and training
methodology. They then explained the
progression of both throwers over
several years. Perspectives on the
paper were presented by Helmar
Hommel.
Anatoly Bondarchuk (URS):
Modern trends of technique
in hammer throwing
Bondarchuk demonstrated the facts
of modern technique in hammer
throwing. Because of limited time he
could not present two additional
papers: "The periodisation of training"
and "The selection and training of
youth and junior hammer throwers".
Both will be included in the report. His
report was completed by vanous de-
monstrations.
114
Frank Dick (GBR):
Preparation of throws
in combined events
The share of points scored by
throwing in multiple events is lower
than the spnnling or jumping evenis.
Within the limit of given time for
training, throwing technique as well as
special strength should be developed
by watching the alternating effect of
throwing and strength training with
other events. Dick detailed plans of
microcycles and explained the U.K.
system for heptatlon and decathlon.
Several other co-lectures, valuable
discussions and a film-festival com-
pleted the presentation.
In addilion to the Congress an As-
sembly of Members of the EACA took
place and included the regular elec-
tions. Frank W. Dick (GBR) was
reelected as President as well as Ehka
Strasser (AUT) Vice-President, Ed-
monde Vonden Eynde (BEL)/Hon-
orary Treasurer, Sandro Giovannelli
(ITA)/Secretary, Jose Manuel Balles-
teros (ESP)/Council-Member and
Helmar Hommel (FRG)/Council-
Member. Newiy elected members in-
cluded the former Soviet long jumper
and todays chief coach of the USSR
Igor Ter-Ovanesyan/Vice-President,
Arne Nytella (NOR)/Council-Member
and Daniel Kohca (YUG)/Council-
Member.
During the council meeting the fol-
lowing Congresses and workshops
were confirmed:
January 1988 - Split, Yugoslavia -
Speed Training Workshop;
January 1989 - GDR - Spnnts &
Hurdles Congress;
January 1990 - Formia, Italy - En-
durance Training Workshop;
January 1991 - Vierumakki, Finland -
Endurance Events Congress.
n