At national level (there are not so many now at international level ), many throwers are practising shot put and discus with some equal success . in fact they don’t make much difference in their approach and many of them and their coaches believe it is just the same technique with a different delivery .  All the preparation of the throw , the entry , the pivots , the right leg swing are indeed very similar with more or less range or legs flexion .

Similar but not the same . There are indeed some postural differences , but managing a 7kg bowl at the the neck or a 2kg plate at the end of the extended arm is certainly not the same . the forces and their orientations are different and how about the speeds ?   If somebody is trying to perform at his best in the 2 events , can he benefit from some ”technical transfer” from one to the other ?  Is it good to keep doing the 2 events or should the thrower better make a choice depending on his specificity and potential.

In this experience , our young (U23) Australian athlete Etienne ROUSSEAU is at this turn of his career. He has just moved from a good period of linear technique shot (16.99m PB) put to a new attempt with the rotational , trying to use his discus technical achievements (PB 56.75m) . the same day he just threw 16.07m  in the shot and 55.36m in the discus , not bad indeed , but the examination and analysis of his videos tell another story and set some interesting questions .

A coaching situation which is probably quite familiar with many of you.

Available documents .  Visitors : 1-Original video Rousseau 55.36m discus   2-Original video Rousseau 16.07m shot put   3-PDF sample comparison discus – shot put framing

Members only ; 4-PDF  8 pages Discus / shot put rotational framing  5- Video Rousseau 16.07m shot vs Rousseau 55.36m discus timing comparison