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Discus Analysis

Athletics Weekly

The first in a series of athletes in action images.

Words by: Max Jones

Vigilijus Alekna, of Lithuania, is arguably the best discus thrower of all time. The sequence below shows Alekna throwing a UK all-comers record of 69.22m at Sheffield on August 21, 2005. Alekna exhibits all the qualities of a great discus thrower fast, strong, skilful and athletic with the additional gift of being a great competitor as shown by his last round win in Helsinki.

UK Athletics
1) Alekna is about to start his
preliminary swings. He is
relaxed and concentrates on
the task in hand.
2) Finishing the preliminary swings (usually two) the thrower is relaxed, balanced and the discus is moving at a speed the athlete can handle.
3) The athlete leads the discus into the turn. The throwing arm is long and relaxed. The athlete’s weight is being transferred to his left side.
9) This is a key moment. The left foot has grounded and the range of the throw is evident. Note how balanced the athlete is.
5) The athlete exhibits superb balance over the left foot and looks at a focal point on the horizon. Note that the discus is held back in a relaxed manner.
6) The athlete drives (runs) across the circle. At the two metres tall Alekna must modity this drive. Smaller throwers can be much more aggressive at this point with greater drive coming from the left leg.
7) The discus arm is kept long and relaxed and the lower body is allowed to move ahead of the shoulders/right arm.
8) The displacement of the lower body and upper body is now evident. The thrower exhibits balance.
11) The discus accelerates around the left side of the body on a long right arm. The discus is held flat so that it will cut through the air and not stall.
10) The hips are driven through ahead of the arm with the left side of the body offering resistance.
11) The discus accelerates around the left side of the body on a long right arm. The discus is held flat so that it will cut through the air and not stall.
12) The throw is complete with the only action remaining being to ensure that the feet stay in the circle. In Alekna’s throw this has been made easy due to the superb resistance of the left side dunng the throwing action.