Coach ,

I recently listened to a comparison of techniques for some of the best discus throwers in my lifetime. Coach Vésteinn Hafsteinsson, one of the best throws coaches in the world, takes a frame-by-frame approach and discusses in detail the commonalities and differences at each point. During his evaluation, he compares the following three world-class athletes. 

Anytime you compare athletes no matter what the ability level I think it’s important to identify the key similarities first. Oftentimes we as coaches get too caught up on trying to find what is different and assume that is the reason for success or lack thereof. Each athlete is unique. At an elite level, the subtle differences could be what makes an athlete great but also what is unique to them as a human and their ability. 

I thought it was important to utilize various clips in a variety of positions in the ring to examine the differences and listen to the analysis of one of the world's best coaches. The observations of these unique differences may allow you to see athletes' technique in a way that best fits them without straying too far away from what’s necessary.

Our first clip focuses on the back of the circle with an analysis that looks at the swing and stance. Each individual athlete has a unique swing. Coach Hafsteinsson looks at each athlete and explains how the swing and stance affect what comes next. 

Link: Swing and Stance

In the next comparison, we move to the middle of the circle. The direction the athlete is moving into the middle of the circle and how much they rotate to get there varies. Each athlete’s trajectory should move them towards the left sector line. 

Link: Into Middle

The final position is when the athletes arrive in the power position. In this clip he discusses how important it is to be grounded and how this impacts a variety of measurable factors. 

Link: Power Position

As you watch elite athletes move through various positions in the ring and you hear the comparisons of each athlete from one of the top coaches in the world it’s important to examine how the differences in the back of the circle affect those at the front. Do these subtle differences throughout the throw have an effect on the throwing ability of the athletes?

If you enjoy this type of comparison breakdown of technique. Coach Vésteinn Hafsteinsson examines rotational shot putters Maggie Ewen, Fanny Roos, and Anita Marton in the second part of this discussion.

Always be growing,

Coach Rathke and the T&F Community of Coaches helping Coaches