Hammer throw

The sport known as hammer throw, is a sport that belongs to the branch of athletics in which a metal object called hammer is thrown at a certain distance, using both hands within a throwing circle. This practice is considered one of the most difficult in sports and can be practiced by both, men and women.

About hammer throw

The modern technique of this sport requires a pitcher to make three complete and rapid body turns within a given area before throwing the weight. The athlete’s strength, balance, and timing of the throw are essential. If the athlete gets on or leaves the circle, the shot will be a miss or if the hammer falls out of a 40° sector marked on the field from the center of the circle.

In order to measure the throw after the ball has been thrown, the ball must fall into a 40 degree sector and the athlete must not leave the circle before the hammer hits the ground. The thrower, usually makes three or four turns before releasing the ball. Athletes usually throw four or six times per competition. In the case of a tie, the winner will be the athlete with the best distance and effort.

History

The sport began thousands of years ago in the British Isles and according to the stories, it dates back to the Tailteann Games that were held in Ireland around the year 2000 B.C., when the Celtic hero Cú Chulainn took in his hands a cart wheel by its axle, turned it around his head and threw it further than any other individual could have done.

The wheel launch was replaced by a rock stuck to the end of a wooden handle. The different forms of hammer throw that existed were practiced among the ancient Teutonic tribes at religious festivals in honor of Thor, their god, and hammer throw was practiced in Scotland and England in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Technique

The athlete should stand at the back of the circle facing back, should place his feet at shoulder width or a little further apart with the handle in the left hand and with the right hand on the left. The right foot is placed pointing forward and should remain in place without moving, the knees should be bent slightly. With the handle grasped with both hands, the athlete should keep his feet in the same place to rotate the ball, drawing circles above and below his head, up to the height of the knees.

Once the hammer gains more speed, the thrower turns on himself two or three times to further accelerate the hammer ball and then releases it up and forward at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The hammer must land within an established field, winning the race whoever gets the greatest distance at the end of the three throws per athlete.

Hammer throw rules

The implement used for the throw must be certified to ensure proper weight, length, diameter, handle and center of gravity.
The minimum hammer weight for adult men is 7.26 kg, 6 kg for young men, and 4 kg for women of any age.
The maximum length for men is 121.5 cm and 119.5 cm for women.
The minimum length for men is 117.7 cm for men and 116 cm for women.
The minimum diameter of a ball is 110 mm for men and 95 mm for women.
The thrower must remain within the circle until the hammer touches the ground and must wait until the implement is on the ground to be able to get out of the back half of the circle.
Any throw that lands in the sector and is not a foul is a legal throw.
Participants have three opportunities to cast.

Hammer throw phases

The hammer throw is based on five different phases that are:

Starting position and grip
Main flights
Turns
Final
Recovery

Track

The track to perform this throw is a circle of 2.15 m in diameter, made of cement or a similar surface in which is placed inside a safety cage, protected by nets.

Characteristics of the hammer

It is a metal sphere with different weights for women and men.
It has a handle and a wire.
The head of the hammer should have a diameter of 110 to 130 millimeters.
The hammer’s gravity center must be six millimeters from the center and be joined by a chain or wire.
The handle is shaped like a triangle.