Tom Pukstys Subject: Standing Throws Date: Sat May 9 22:20:10 1998

Hello boys, I will offer you insight on why you don't throw much better with the help of a run-up. To give you an idea, I have thrown about 180 feet from a stand, and that's pushing it. I could do better but my technique would have to break down in order to get more distance. I have thrown 285'10" and to me standing throws don't mean much. The technique needed to generate force, for standing throws, and the power you get from a run, a reaction force, are different. It is complex in accomplishing the idea, but the fact is you guys don't do a good job of using your block to set up your throw. Zelezny is the best at it. He doesn't throw far at all from a stand. The block will create a sort of jarring effect that creates a force threw the body and helps you create speed. You have to keep your arm back at the moment of impact of your plant though. What you guys are doing is trying to throw past a plant and your throw becomes a strike or a push after the spear. To throw far with a run, you must still pull the spear. It takes the right leg to turn into, the left block leg, and your right arm to stay back until the block is solid first. Zelezny drops the right knee into a straight left which gives him great torque, and then he pulls up over his plant, but the jav is released from behind the left heel. The plant gives the spear the lift. He doesn't chase it, it is already gone. So to help with throwing from a run-up, try to let the plant hit first and stay at an angle behind it and will lock then you can pull the trigger. There is more to it, but I would have to show you in person.Tom Pukstys
Jeff, You make some great observations. Like I said before, the left leg makes the power for zelezny, there is no drive off of his right leg, this would put him to forward. From observing Jan warm-up over the years I noticed that when he does easy throws he tries to stay behind the chest and almost back on his right foot at release. He tries to get the javelin to float and land flat. This means he is not working on his throw, but he is working on the leg positions. Or staying behind his left. I have had the problem of breaking down technically from a full run-up, but at the time could kill a five step throw. I worked on planting all the time but, not on how my right foot worked. when I started to drop the right foot in like Jan, I was able to maintain a plant even at high speed, and throw further. I don't throw to hard in training, but I always try to stay behind my plant. I know it may not fly as far as it could, with a big strike, but I know it works from a full run. So I practice full runs without throwing. And I try to keep positions in training throws no mater what the distance. I always try to feel that solid left side, and then strike past my face. If I chase it too much I will not feel the shock of the left, just a sort of slowing mechanism. Please ask more questions if this is totally unclear. I can explain some more. Tom