Coach Scott Cappos
Former Big Ten champion thrower and a coach you can trust.
Big Ten Coach for 25 Years · University of Iowa · University of Nebraska
You don't need to be an expert to get your athlete the right equipment. After 25 years coaching at the highest college level, I put together this guide to make it easy. For each event I've picked one place to start for a first-year thrower, plus my top choices as they progress. Pick the weight your athlete throws, then choose from there.
How to read this guide: The blue "Best for Beginners" pick is where I start every new athlete. You don't need the premium model yet. Top Choices are what to reach for as technique and distance grow.
Shot Put
Which weight? High school girls & college women throw the 4 kilo (8.8 lb). High school boys throw the 12 pound. Shot put weights for USATF and AAU summer meets vary by age.
4 Kilo (High School Girls & Women)
Best for Beginners
Crafted from precision lathe-turned iron and built to exact competition-legal specifications. The best shot for a first-year thrower: good quality at a reasonable price.
Coach's Top Choices
Polanik Steel Shot
Painted, textured surface that grips chalk well. High-strength steel construction with a textured painted finish for enhanced grip, from one of the most trusted brands in throwing.
Pro Steel
Award-winning balance. My go-to value pick for an experienced thrower. One of the best competition options for high school athletes who want superior grip, balance, and durability.
Nordic Valhalla
Precision-turned from high-strength Swedish ductile iron, an exceptionally durable alloy with a naturally textured surface that delivers outstanding grip.
Indoor Shot Put
Compete and train indoors with a durable hardshell shot designed to protect gym floors. Made from thick plastic and available with free custom color options.
12 Pound (High School Boys)
Best for Beginners
Precision shot put at a great value. Ideal for beginners: durable and well-balanced. Lathe-turned iron, built to exact competition-legal specifications.
Coach's Top Choices
Polanik Steel Shot
Painted, textured surface that grips chalk well. Made from high-strength steel for enhanced grip, precision-turned to exact weight and diameter specifications.
Pro Steel
Award-winning balance. My go-to value pick for experienced throwers. A modern, sleek gunmetal matte finish with excellent grip feel in all competition conditions. The best painted shot out there.
Nordic Valhalla
Crafted from precision-turned Swedish ductile iron, this premium shot delivers exceptional durability and a naturally textured grip that needs no painted coating. An award-winning shot put.
Indoor Shot Put
The hardshell shot put is the standard for indoor throwing, combining a thick, impact-resistant plastic shell with the feel of a competition shot. Free custom color options.
Discus
Which weight? High school girls and middle school throwers use the 1 kilo. High school boys throw the 1.6 kilo.
What is "rim weight"? It's how much of the weight sits in the outer rim. Low rim weight is forgiving and easier to throw properly; best for beginners. High rim weight flies farther when thrown with more velocity.
1 Kilo (High School Girls & Women)
Best for Beginners
The Thrower X Select 68% Rim Weight Discus is designed for athletes developing proper technique. Its center-balanced design provides a stable, forgiving flight.
Coach's Top Choices
Gill S Series
Durable, consistent, and meet-legal with multiple rim weights. A precision-machined steel rim with high-impact polycarbonate plates for dependable flight and durability.
Thrower X 83 (High Rim Weight)
More rim weight for an experienced thrower; high rim weight without the high price. The Thrower X Select 83% Rim Weight Discus delivers increased spin potential for advanced athletes.
Pro Gold (Very High Rim Weight)
Maximum distance for an athlete with high release velocity. The Pro Gold features a brass rim and exceptionally durable ABS composite plates, delivering elite-level performance.
FiberSport
Rigorously tested with precision rim weight options for throwers at all levels. Includes four models in each weight, giving athletes a clear progression within a single brand.
1.6 Kilo (High School Boys)
Best for Beginners
Easy to control for beginners; build the basics here first. Its center-balanced design delivers a stable, forgiving flight that builds confidence while reinforcing proper release mechanics.
Coach's Top Choices
Blue Steel (75 Rim Weight)
Moderate rim weight with a beautiful stainless steel rim. The 75% Rim Weight Discus delivers a balance of spin rate and flight stability for serious, emerging elite throwers.
Pro Gold (High Rim Weight)
High rim weight for state finalists and national-level throwers. Featuring a brass rim and premium ABS composite plates, the Pro Gold is built for advanced high school throwers.
FiberSport
Multiple rim weight options with scientific testing behind every discus. Rigorously tested with four precision rim weight options, providing a clear progression path for throwers of all levels.
Gill S Series
Proven favorite year after year with multiple rim weight options. Most beginners start with the S6 or S7, while the S8 is designed for technically advanced athletes. Competition legal.
Hammer & Indoor Weight Throw
Two events, two seasons. The hammer is the outdoor spring event (a ball on a wire). The indoor weight throw is a heavier plastic ball with a harness and handle. Your athlete's weight is set by their age and level, so check with the coach.
Hammer Throw
Best for Beginners
Machined and balanced lathe-turned iron hammers are better than poorly made iron hammers. A reliable competition hammer for throwers at any level.
Coach's Top Choices
Polanik Steel Competition
My favorite all-around competition hammer. The Polanik Competition Hammer combines elite-level quality, proven performance, and outstanding value.
Polanik Stainless Steel Competition
Precisely engineered by one of the most trusted brands in hammer throwing, this premium stainless steel hammer is used by elite throwers worldwide.
Indoor Weight Throw
Best for Beginners
NFHS, NCAA, and USATF legal at a starter price. Everything a first-year weight thrower needs for the indoor season, with a thicker shell for durability and a smooth, dynamic swivel.
Coach's Top Choices
Indoor Competition Weight
A true competition weight, a smaller-diameter ball available in custom colors. A high-performance weight built for serious throwers without the premium cost of tungsten.
Gill Orbiter
Great overall design. Features a lead-filled ball, rotating swivel, seat-belt-grade harness, textured handle, and durable injection-molded NBR collar for reliable indoor training.
Javelin
Which weight? High school girls & women throw the 600 gram. High school boys & men throw the 800 gram.
What's a "distance rating"? Each javelin's flex is matched to how far an athlete throws. Pick the rating just above your athlete's current best to maximize performance.
600 Gram (High School Girls & Women)
Best for Beginners
Built for beginning throwers at all levels of performance. The flex matches a developing thrower and is designed to land point-first. Constructed from lightweight aluminum with a universal steel tip.
Coach's Top Choices
Thrower X 50m
Step up to the 50m rating, a slight increase in stiffness, best for a thrower with some experience. Delivers solid performance with a forgiving feel on minor errors during the throw.
Thrower X 60m
Designed for state finalists and national-level performers. A versatile, forgiving javelin built to deliver as the thrower continues to develop.
Nemeth
A world-class brand chosen by elite javelin throwers, with multiple options. Nemeth javelins are considered the best women's 600g javelins in the world by most athletes and coaches.
Rubber Tip (Thrower X)
The rubber-tip javelin is required in some states for high school throwers. This javelin works well for most throwers under 160'. Crafted from durable aluminum alloy, perfect for meets and training.
800 Gram (High School Boys & Men)
Best for Beginners
Constructed from durable aluminum alloy, ideal for beginner to intermediate throwers. An excellent competition and training javelin for athletes refining their technique.
Coach's Top Choices
Thrower X 70m
The 70m javelin is designed for state champion contenders and national-level throwers. Built from premium aluminum alloy, it delivers a balanced combination of control, durability, and flight stability.
Nemeth
The elite brand trusted at the highest levels of the sport, with multiple options available. Nemeth javelins are globally respected for their aerodynamic innovation, elite construction, and championship heritage.
OTE Apex Series
A premium javelin, available in multiple stiffness ratings and tip options. Developed by Dick Held for intermediate to advanced throwers seeking the ideal combination of stiffness and stability.
Rubber Tip (Thrower X)
The rubber-tip javelin is required in some states for high school throwers. This javelin works well for most throwers under 190'. Crafted from durable aluminum alloy, perfect for competition and training.
Parent FAQ
How do I know which weight my athlete throws?
It's set by their age and level. For high school: girls throw the 4k shot, 1k discus, and 600g javelin; boys throw the 12 lb shot, 1.6k discus, and 800g javelin. Youth and middle school weights vary by state. When in doubt, ask the coach or check the meet rules.
My athlete is just starting out. What should I buy?
Start with the blue "Best for Beginners" pick in their event. It has the right feel and durability without paying for a competition model they don't need yet.
What does "rim weight" mean on a discus?
It's how much of the weight sits in the outer rim. Lower rim weight is more forgiving and easier to keep flat, better for beginners. Higher rim weight flies farther but rewards a thrower with a clean, well-timed release.
What's a javelin "distance rating"?
It matches the javelin's flex to how far an athlete throws. Pick a rating just above their current best so the javelin flexes correctly and lands point-first. Too stiff and a beginner can't throw it cleanly, and it will wobble.
Do I need separate equipment for the indoor season?
Yes: the indoor shot put (a hardshell that won't damage gym floors) and the indoor weight throw, which replaces the hammer in winter. Discus and javelin are outdoor-only events. Rubber tip javelins are often used for indoor training depending on the facility.
Still not sure? Ask Coach Cappos.
Tell me your athlete's age, level, and event, and I'll point you to exactly the right setup. It's what I'm here for.
Email scott@throwspro.com
or call 402-318-1070
Shop by Event
