The discus throw is one of the oldest events in track and field. You may have seen part of a competition before but had questions about its history, rules, record, training, and techniques, all of which you can learn about below.
The event requires a mix of strength, speed, and technique. A technically good throw that catches the wind just right can be one of the most beautiful things to see at a track meet at any level - high school, college, or beyond.
A standing throw at a youth discus competition - Photo By: k.steudel
History
The discus throw has been included in track and field meets for men since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and was officially added for women in 1928, but the history of the event dates back much further.
A classic version of the discus goes back many centuries and the image of throwing a heavy disc-shaped item was commemorated with the Discobolus sculpture. The image of a man preparing to heave the disc is believed to originate from somewhere around 450-460 BC.
Rules
The most important part is that you throw the discus between the sector lines and don't leave the circle until the implement lands. If you'd like a more detailed look at the rules, you can find them below.
- The athlete must complete the throw within 60 seconds of their name being called by the official.
- They must exit the circle out of the back half after the throw is finished. The half point is usually marked. Contrary to many opinions, you can enter the circle from anywhere.
- The athlete cannot touch the top of the circle or step out during the throw.
- The circle is 2.5 meters or 8 feet, 2 and 1/4 inches in diameter.
- The disc must land between the legal sector lines of 34.92 degrees. The lines will be marked, typically with white paint.
The weight of the disc depends on the age group and gender, although women typically use the 1 kilogram/2.2 pound discus from junior high up. Boys use the 1 kilogram disc in junior high and then a 1.6 kilogram version in high school, followed by a 2 kilogram discus in college competitions. You can see this weight guide here for all other age groups, including masters.
Records
If you are just getting into the sport, it is only natural to want to know how far people have thrown it before. Below are the United States National High School records and the world records for males and females. You can find the complete discus world record progressions here.
- Men's World Record - Jurgen Schult, 74.08 meters/243', 1986
- Women's World Record - Gabriele Rensch, 76.80 meters/251'11", 1988
- Boy's U.S. High School Record - Ryan Crouser, 237'6", 2011
- Girl's U.S. High School Record - Shelbi Vaughan, 198'9", 2012
Schult and Rensch both competed for East Germany. Crouser competed for Sam Barlow High School in Oregon and also holds the indoor boys shot put high school national record. Vaughan competed for Mansfield Legacy High School in Texas.
Equipment
You really only need a few essential items to get started throwing the discus. You could get by with a cheap rubber discus and an open field, but ideally you will want these items to get quality training in:
- A discus implement - find out which weight you need here, as it is a different weight for boys and girls and the men's gets heavier with age. In junior high, boys and girls compete with the 1 kilogram or 2.2 pound implement. The boy's jumps up to 1.6 kilograms in high school and 2 kilograms in college, while the girls stays the same.
- A throwing circle - the discus circle is larger than shot put or hammer. It is a cement slab that is 2.5 meters in diameter, which is about 8 feet, 2 and 1/4 inches.
- Throwing shoes - check out this review guide to figure out which is the best for you.
Techniques
The full spin discus throw technique has been the predominant form used in modern throwing. Frantisek Janda-Suk, a Czech athlete, is credited as the pioneer of this technique. He began practicing this way in 1899 and became good enough to win silver at the 1900 OIympics.
The full spin technique consists of rotating the body around and across the circle before releasing the disc into the sector. Explaining the technique is much more involved than that, but you can get an idea of what it looks like by watching the video below.
The video shows the technique of Piotr Malachowski of Poland on his way to winning the 2015 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the discus with a throw of 67.40 meters. You can also see Philip Milanov of Belgium, who finished second, and Robert Urbanek of Poland, who finished third.
Junior high and high school throwers will usually use the spin eventually, but they may not compete with it for a while if they do not have the technique down. Many will compete with just a standing throw or half turn until they learn better technique or become more comfortable with it.
Training
Discus throw training is done with a goal of improving the overall distance the athlete can throw. This is done with a mix of training, including strength training, plyometrics, and technical work. There are 2 main types of throws training for the athlete, which is similar to the training for shot put.
- General Training - This can be any strength and conditioning that improves overall strength and conditioning. As a throw is a very explosive movement, little endurance work is done and the focus is on compounds lifts such as power cleans, back squats, and bench press, with plyometrics added in.
- Specific Training - This is any type of practice that specifically improves the discus throwing ability of the athlete. This is usually any kind of technique or actual throws with a discus. Medicine balls can also be specific training.
Recap
Watching a technically solid discus throw hit the air can be one of the best sites in track and field. A great discus thrower combines strength, athleticism, and technique to get the most out of the throw.
