Throwing Rules: Shot Put, Discus, Hammer & Javelin Explained

Throwing Areas

Most high quality venues have ½” to ¾” sunken concrete circles that are smooth with enough friction to let the thrower stay balanced while executing the technical movement with optimal speed. Some facilities use a painted circle without a metal rim, which is not ideal for competition because athletes can accidentally place their feet on the painted area during an attempt.

The shot put throwing area includes a circle with a raised edge and a toeboard. The inside diameter of the circle is 2.135m (7'). The toeboard should be painted white and made of wood or other suitable material that follows the inside arc of the circle.

The discus circle is 2.50m (8'2.5"), flush to the ground or with a raised edge. The discus is thrown from a protective cage that must conform with the regulations of the governing body.

Sectors

Shot put, discus, and hammer: 34.92 degrees internationally; a 40 degree sector has been used in United States high school competition.

Distance lines within the sector are recommended at all levels of competition:

Competition Procedures

The thrower can enter the circle from anywhere; before the trial starts, the thrower must pause and start the attempt from a stationary position. The thrower cannot leave the circle or runway before the implement has landed.

The thrower must exit through the rear half of the circle after the implement has landed. The first contact with the top of the rim or the ground outside the circle is considered exiting. The implement must land within the designated sector; if it lands on the sector line, it is a foul.

Throws are measured from the front edge of the circle, toeboard, or foul line closest to the landing point of the implement.

Tape and Substances

Throwers are not allowed to tape two or more fingers together. If tape connects the hand and fingers, it must be continuous and each finger must move independently. Athletes should show the tape on their hands and fingers to the head official before the event.

Throwers can use substances on their hands or neck to better grip the implement; the substance must be easily removed with a wet cloth and leave no residue on the implement. Throwers often use chalk to grip the shot or discus — not recommended in wet conditions.

Attempts

Each thrower is allowed three preliminary attempts; typically the top 8 to 9 performers receive three more attempts in reverse order, with the best thrower from the prelims competing last. If the field is equal to or smaller than the predetermined finals size, a fair attempt in the preliminary rounds is not required.

The thrower's best mark of the competition determines place; if there is a tie, the second-best throw breaks it.

Recommended Competition Procedures

Officials use the calls 'up' for the current athlete, 'on deck' for the next thrower, and 'on hold' for the competitor two spots out. The thrower gets 60 seconds to start an attempt after being called up; an official raises a yellow flag with 15 seconds remaining.

During competition, the only athletes allowed with an implement in hand are those called 'up' or 'on deck.' If there are more than 15 competitors, it is recommended to break throwers into flights with the top 8–9 seed marks competing in the last flight.

Throwers should remain in the competition area but can be escorted to their coach or the bathroom. Most federations allow athletes to watch video during competition. Personal implements may or may not be allowed depending on the federation or meet; when allowed, they may become available to all throwers or remain exclusive to the owner.

Recommended Warm Up Procedures

With fewer than 9 throwers, a 15-minute warm up period is recommended; 10 or more throwers in a flight require 20–30 minutes. A warm up period after the preliminary round is not recommended unless an athlete who was not in the last flight made the final. Officials should keep warm ups between trials and finals to 1–2 throws per athlete. Some competitions hold a general warm up period, but this is not necessary in most cases.

It is permissible to imitate the throwing motion without an implement outside the cage or throwing area; the thrower should keep a safe distance from other competitors during technical movements without an implement.

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