Shotput
Shot PutPhysics is everywhere in the world of sports. It can be found when a
boxer punches a guy, or when a person is stabbing something. The shot put is an
event which has many practical applications to physics. From the time the
thrower begins moving, to the time the shot hits the ground, physics can be
applied.The first track and field events began over two thousands years ago in
Greece. People participated in sprints, endurance races, shot put, and discus.
Track and Field events were held first in the Olympics in 776 B.C. They were
held again every four years: however, under the Roman Empire, track and field
started to die (McMane, 5). It didn't begin to flourish again until the middle
of the eighteenth century. In 1896, the Olympics started again in Athens,
Greece. Since then, they have been held every four years with few exception. The
shot put event evolved with the maturing of Olympic Games. It advanced from a
very basic understanding of the sport, to a precise approach to each athlete's
technique.It is important to understand the set of events that should be
followed in each throw. The shot should be placed over the head balancing the
shot on all four fingers. The left arm should then be raised above the head.
Both hands are turned so that the palm of each hand are looking down at each
ear. In that position the arms are lowered to rest on the shoulder. Then both
hands are squeezed to the neck. The rhythm for shot placement is described as
up, turn, down, squeeze(Naclerio 117). There are many different styles used in
the shot. Parry O'Brien developed a 180 degree shot rather than the usual 90and
found that the longer he pushed the faster the shot would travel. The most
descriptive word for the action of the shot putter's arm is punch ( Naclerio,
116). The motion of the arms should be like punching towards a tall person. The
legs of the putter should move in a violent manner and the right heel should get
around the right knee. The throwing motion of the shot than begins. In the up
position the athlete will then balance the shot on the base of the fingers. In
the turn position, the athlete faces his or her palms to the ears, then lowers
his arms to prepare for the squeeze.
In the squeeze phase, the ball is nestled
against the neck. The left arm is than relaxed to become an extension of the
left shoulder.The physical properties of the shot may also be important. The
shot is generally made of brass or iron (Matson 1). It is thrown from a circle
of 2.135 meters in diameter into a sector about 65 degrees from the center of
the circle. The circle has a board 10 centimeters high around the front.Tall
heavy and strong athletes are suited to shot putting. The release velocity of
the shot is very much dependent on the speed at which the thrower moves across
the circle. Therefore, shot-putters are generally fast and powerful. Strength,
power and flexibility form the foundation of shot putters. In order to avoid
injuries in trial runs the subject should engage in arm, waist, hamstring, hip
and quadriceps stretching. Also a light jog or brisk before stretching may be
appropriate. Warming up each day will also be vital to results. If the same
warm-up routine is used each day then the results will be more uniform because
the subject will be similarly ready for each day of putting. Videotaping is used
extensively in shot-putting. Video taping can be helpful because there is often
a big gap between what one thinks he/she is doing between what he/she is
actually doing. The techniques of athletes use in throwing the shot have changed
dramatically over the past century. The first style was a crude approach to
throwing the shot. An athlete simply threw from an upright stance perpendicular
to the toe board (Judge, 30). In the 1950's, Parry O'Brian added momentum to his
technique by introducing the back to the toe board stance. This involved sliding
towards the toebaord to add speed and momentum behind the shot. And finally, in
the 1970's , Brian Oldfield added the rotary discus spin to create the third
technique used in throwing the shot(Judge 30). Oldfield's style was
revolutionary for the shot put world. He was able to toss farther than anyone
had before in history. Oldfield's technique has many advantages over the other
styles. First, it allows the athlete to generate more horizontal velocity.
Secondly, it allows an athlete to generate more force over a greater period of
time. Lastly, this technique gives throwers of modest strength and weight an
opportunity to be competitive (Judge 30). The spin style does have its
drawbacks.
