How To Compete At A Track And Field Meet: Throwing Events

Competing in track and field is different from thestretches, such as low-impact bounds, that will warm
more traditional sports, in which the start of thethe body and stretch the muscle.
game signifies the beginning of competition. WhenAt the track meet is the time to perform, you should
the umpire yells "Play Ball" in baseball or when aonly be fine tuning your efforts. During the warm up
referee throws up a basketball at half court to beginportion of your flight, usually about 15-minutes in
a basketball game; both of these gestures are welltime, you should perform a series of practice throws,
recognized by the athletes that play will begin. Thein which you progress up until competition time.
same is not true for the track and field athlete, inUsually with a field of 10 to 12 competitors in a flight,
particular an individual competing in the throwingthe athlete should be able to use the time efficiently
disciplines. This is due to having an order of eventsby eagerly moving into the circle, making sure they
and time table to help the athlete understand whenare allowing enough time for practice throws, and
they are to begin, therefore there may be significantanticipating their throws in succession to produce an
down time between the start of the meet and theoutstanding result. The athlete during warm-ups will
athlete's event.take one to two standing throws, and the one to
In order to bring clarity to the athlete whom may betwo progression drills and lastly one to two full form
competing in the throwing events, three easy tothrows. The athlete should use this progress in order
remember steps are outlined to create anto communicate with the coach, to understand and
environment for success. These three steps are:gain feedback from your performances. Envision each
arrive early, warm up and perform all three which willattempt, in your mind, to help alleviate stress, and
be detailed in the following paragraphs.help heighten your sense of bodily awareness.
Do not arrive to track and field meets late. AllowRemember to continue to stay warm, place an article
yourself enough time to find a spot to be situated, inof clothing on if needed, and continue to perform low
which you can hear the announcer, and have enoughimpact movements to generate body heat, but not
time to check in. When you arrive, find out when anto develop fatigue.
implement must be weighed in, or how much timeLastly the track meet and competition is a place to
prior to your event you must check in.try and obtain your maximum throw or result. While
Similar to your early arrival, allow enough time toyou are performing for measurements, perform the
warm up prior to the competition. At the time ofskill in which you will benefit the must from. In the
arrival, you should place your equipment andshot put event for example; do not perform a
belongings where your team is, or in the area instanding throwing, as this will greatly restrict your
which you will be competing. Perform a generalmovement and is used primarily as a warm up skill,
warm-up in which you will use to loosen up thethe athlete thus should be performing either the glide
stiffened limbs from travelling.or rotational technique.
Prior to your event, you will now perform eventIf you are to follow these four simple rules and you
specific warm-up routine. This should beginwill sure to finish with consistent improvement
approximately 20-minutes prior to the start of yourthroughout the season.
heat or flight. Now begin to perform dynamic