How to Coach the Javelin Thrower
The javelin throw is a type of track and field event in which the thrower throws a spear of about 2.5 m in length. The javelin thrower develops momentum by running within a specific area. The javelin throw involves three main stages: the approach, the power position and the delivery. One of the foremost steps towards learning the javelin throw is the grip.
Javelin Throw Grip
A thrower can hold the Grip using three required methods: the Finnish Grip, the American Grip, or the fork grip. The javelin must be placed diagonally across the palm in the Finnish Grip. The middle finger is pressed along the back of the cord; the index finger is stretched towards the javelin’s back; the other fingers encircle the cord to exert pressure on the cord’s back.
The American Grip is kind of the same as the Finnish Grip. In the fork grip, the middle and index fingers are divided between the cord, and the other fingers wrap around the spear’s cord.
The Finnish Grip is one of the common grips used in the javelin throw. It gives direction to the throw because the index finger directs the javelin into the release. There can be more force applied using the middle finger during the release.
Approach
The approach denotes the number of steps or distance covered before the javelin’s release.
The approach is needed to develop horizontal velocity and momentum that will be implemented into release. The intended goal is to throw javelin with high velocity and at correct release angle. It’s crucial to maintain high speed movements for optimal performance.
New throwers begin with 5–8 strides, and senior or experienced throwers use more than 14 strides in the javelin approach.
The most practical approach is determined by the athlete’s ability to form maximal controlled velocity that can be converted into maximum release velocity. This gives rise to the maximum throwing distance possible. Inexperienced athletes have shorter approach due to their inability to sustain correct throwing positions at higher speed and uneven stride patterns during the approach.
The javelin thrower creates the approach by placing the lower body to speed up on the runway at a set benchmark. The thrower bent the right arm and grips the javelin. The spear is above the right shoulder at eye level and the left arm is placed at the body’ side.
The javelin approach begins with running mechanics same as that in acceleration stage. It can be used in sprinting, shorter strides moving the body forward. The javelin thrower moves forward to overcome inertia during the beginning’s approach. It slowly increases stride length before the withdrawal of javelin. The javelin stays stable with minimum movement at start of approach. The left arm balances the circular motion of the lower body.
The velocity created from the beginning of the approach with the javelin placed above the shoulder into withdrawing should be gradual.
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Withdrawing the Javelin
The thrower can withdraw the javelin at the beginning of the left foot down and after completing the is coming stride using the left foot.
Generally, the javelin is taken away when the thrower places the left foot beneath the center of mass; the right knee moves forward; the shoulder is placed parallel to the shoulder’s center that is at the right angle of the center’s sector. When the javelin is withdrawn back, thrower’s left arm is stretched towards the thrower’s body.
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