Among the track and field events, javelin throwing is the most intriguing activity related to strength and technique. In this activity, training aims at throwing as far as possible a spear-like object called the javelin. Javelin throw has an even more important history. It basically dates back to ancient mythology and early Olympic Games events. Today, javelin throw is one of the sports that constitutes the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games.
WHAT IS THE JAVELIN?
The javelin is a long, spear-shaped object with a metal head that the athlete throws for distance. It is one of the oldest sports. It dates back to ancient Greece, where it was featured in the pentathlon of the Ancient Olympic Games as early as 708 BC. Initially, there were two forms: one in which the competitors were invited to throw the javelin as far as possible and another that consisted of hitting an object target.
The javelin was also mentioned in Norse mythology, in which the God Odin possessed a legendary spear known as Gungnir. With time, the sports game evolved, and the modern Olympic Games featured men’s events in 1908, and women’s in 1932.
EVOLUTION OF THE JAVELIN
The javelin had successfully gone through various designs to ensure that it remained safe while enhancing performance. After Uwe Hohn threw over 100 meters in 1986, men’s javelin went through a design change in a move to try and make sure that the area in which the throw is received will not soon be matched by future records. The center of gravity was moved forward by four centimeters, and it lessened the flat landings whereby the javelin fails to stick into the ground. In 1999, the women’s javelin was redesigned for the same reason—to keep the event safe and competitive.
JAVELIN THROW TECHNIQUE
The technique for the javelin throw requires all three elements—speed, strength, and precision—in perfect harmony. A slight fault in a small motion can cause either a low-quality throw or, worse, an injury. Here are the major phases of a javelin throw:
- Grip and Carry: The athlete grips the javelin with the preferred grip, overhead with the point forward. The grip should be placed in the corded area of the javelin, and it should be closest to the little finger near the tip.
- Run-up: The athlete accelerates down the runway, makes a crossover step into a self-recovery running pattern while controlling the javelin throughout its flight.
- Withdrawal: The throwing arm is pulled back and kept straight. It is aligned with the direction of the throw. The non-throwing arm assists in maintaining balance.
- Transition: The athlete prepares to convert forward momentum into upward momentum, orientating the body accordingly.
- Pre-delivery Stride: The athlete places his or her leading foot firmly, engaging the hips and shoulders in the rotation to face forward.
- Delivery: The throwing arm is pushed forward in a smooth, fast action as the javelin is released.
- Follow-through: The athlete controls their momentum without jerking to stop, keeping balance as well as making sure themselves to stay back the arc.
RULES FOR JAVELIN
Javelin throw is governed by a specific set of rules pertaining to fairness and safety:
- Runway: The athlete must begin their run-up on the track that is at least 30 meters long.
- Approach: During the approach and throw, the athlete must not turn the back towards the landing area.
- Throwing: The javelin should be thrown over the shoulder or the upper part of the throwing arm. In that, the head of the javelin must strike the ground before any other part.
- Landing: The javelin should land inside the 29-degree sector. That distance is measured from the mark closest made by the head in the javelin.
- Fouls: The throw is considered a failure in case the runner steps out of the runway, the javelin hits beyond the sector, or the athlete drops the javelin instead of holding it by the grip, among many others.
- Equipment: It is not allowed to wear gloves on throwing hand.
Athletes are provided with three chances in major competitions to qualify for the final. Best performers will be accorded three more chances at the final throw. A tie occurs when one matches another; the winner is decided by the second-best throw.
CONCLUSION
The javelin throw is such a dynamic and challenging event that it eventually gets together with power, precision, and historical significance. Whether an athlete is a novice or a sport enthusiast, once the nuances of the javelin throw are understood, it makes something like this an exceptional discipline in track and field even more appreciable.
