SHOT PUT

DEFINITION
O Shot Put is a sport where an athlete needs to
exercise his throwing power with a heavy
object. Men’s shot put is present since the
inception of 1896’s Modern Olympics.
Women made their debut in Shot Put in the
Olympics of 1948.
O Shot Put is played with a heavy spherical
object popularly known as shot. The aim is to
throw the shot-put as far as possible through a
pushing action. It requires immense muscular
strength and a good balance upon your body.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHOT PUT
O Historians depict that the first hint of this sport
was seen in Scottish Highland during the first
century. Homer, a great ancient Greek poet and
the author of epic poems like lliad and Odyssey,
had mentioned the competition of throwing
stones by the soldiers during the siege of troy.
However, in the middle ages, the glimpse of the
modern shot put was noticed when the soldiers
started competition by hurling cannonballs.
HISTORY OF SHOT PUT
O Scottish Highland Games historians believe the
shot put originated from the ancient Celtic
tradition of "putting the stone" which, according
to Scottish folklore, was used by Clan chieftains
to help them identify their strongest men for
battle purposes.
O The men’s Shot Put has been part of every
modern Olympics since 1896, but women putters
had to wait until 1948 before they could compete
at the Games.
THROWING WEIGHT RULES
FOR SHOT PUT
Age Category Min. Weight
U13 Boys 3Kg
U15 Boys 4Kg
U17 Boys 5kg
Junior Men 6kg
Senior Men 7.26kg
Men 35-49 7.26kg
Men 50-59 6kg
Men 60-69 5kg
Men 70+ 5kg
Age Category Min. Weight
U13 Girls 2.72kg
U15 Girls 3kg
U17 Girls 3kg
Junior Women 4kg

Senior Women 4kg

Women 35-49 4kg

Women 50+ 3kg
THE SHOT
Material
O The shot is made of different kinds
of materials depending on its intended
use. Materials used include sand, iron, cast
iron, solid steel, stainless steel, brass, and
synthetic materials like polyvinyl. Some
metals are more dense than others making the
size of the shot vary.
SHOT PUT FIELD
“RULES IN PLAYING SHOT PUT”
UNIFORM
O Shot put participants are required to wear a clean
school or team uniform unless they are participating
in an amateur competition that does not specify
uniform requirements.
O No visible jewelry is allowed in most cases, though
exceptions may be made for religious jewelry
provided it is taped to the body to prevent movement.
O Gloves cannot be worn, and the hands cannot be
taped or bandaged unless there is a cut or other
wound that needs to be covered.
O Supporting the wrists with tape is allowed.
PREPARATION
O Once the competition has begun, participants
can no longer take practice throws or engage
in other warmup activities. An exception to
this is made if the participant's coach or other
official is present to actively monitor the
warmup, though practice throws are still
prohibited once competitors actively begin
throwing shots.
THE SHOT
O The shot must be smooth and round, solid and
made of metal no softer than brass.
O The shot can be a solid metal ball or can have
a shell of iron, brass or other acceptable
materials filled with lead or other heavier
metals.
O Shots are available in 6-, 12- and 16-pound
varieties, as well as 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-
kilogram varieties.
PLAYING AREA
O When throwing a shot, competitors stand inside of
a circle 7 feet in diameter.
O A sector extending from the circle is used to
determine valid throws; the two radius lines of the
sector originate from the center of the circle and
are measured at 34.92 degrees apart.
O A curved white stop board is placed within the
circle between the sector lines, serving as an
indicator of the valid throwing sector and as a
warning of where the thrower cannot cross.
PUTTING THE SHOT
O The act of throwing a shot is known as a put and must be
performed in a certain way to be valid. The elbow must
bend to draw the shot back, holding it near or touching the
neck and chin but not farther back than the shoulder.
O The put itself is performed by extending the arm straight to
launch the shot into the air; throws that bring the shot back
or give it an overhand or underhand circular momentum
will be disqualified.
O The put must be performed within 60 seconds of being
called to enter the circle.
O The thrower cannot leave the circle until the shot has
landed and the judge has called for it to be marked.
MEASUREMENT
O Measurement is made with a measuring tape
from the inside edge of the stop board to the
closest side of the shot once it has landed.
O If the shot lands on one of the sector lines, a foul
is called and no measurement is made.
O If the shot lands outside the sector lines, it is out
of bounds and no measurement is made.
O Measurements are to the nearest 1/4 inch or
nearest 1/4 centimeter, though individual
competitions may alter this as needed.
“BASIC TECHNIQUE FOR THE
SHOT PUT’’
Delivery of the shot
STEP 1: Introduction
Objectives: To get used to the implement and the
basic putting movements.
O Introduce the shot, safety measures and grip.
O Slow extension or push upwards.
O Flicking shot with fingers. (1)
O Forward two-handed toss. (2)
O Backward overhead, twohanded toss. (3)
STEP 2: FRONT PUTS
Objectives: To use legs for acceleration and
learn the correct arm strike.
O Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
O Wind up with bent knees, unwind and throw.
O As for previous drill, but step forwards on to
the balls of feet.
O Maintain contact with the ground.
STEP 3: PUT FROM A STEP
Objectives: To develop the activity of right leg
and blocking of left side (leg and trunk).
O Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
O Step backwards, turning hip and shoulder
against direction of throw.
O Continue with an immediate, forwards
twisting extension of the legs and hips.
TIPS:
• Use the legs and twisting action to initiate the throw
STEP 4: PUT FROM POWER POSITION
Objectives: To develop the activity of right leg;
turn of legs, hips, trunk and blocking.
O Start with feet in the power position.
O Turn shoulders away from the direction of the
throw, weight over the right foot
O Begin the put with the right leg and hip.
O Transfer weight from right to left.
TIPS:
• In the power position the alignment should be ‘chin-knee-toe’
• Punch a hole in the sky
• Practice the recovery
STEP 5: GLIDE
Objectives: To develop the glide action of the
legs and link it with the delivery.
1. Glide with a partner holding the free arm.
2. Continue glide along a line, stop in power
position (without/with release).

TIPS:
• Keep your shoulders to the rear in the glide.
• Don’t hop, pull the right foot back umder the body.
• Keep hips ‘open’ with correct right heel, left toe alignment.
STEP 6: WHOLE SEQUENCE
Objectives: To link the phases into a complete
movement.
O Perform without and with the shot, controlling
and correcting the power position.
O Perform on different surfaces, with eyes
closed, different implements (e.g. medicine
balls) and different shot weights.
TIPS:
• Develop the speed and rhythm of the put.
• Be explosive through the delivery and release.
• Think the whole sequence.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING