There are some kids who just take naturally to the rotational technique, but there are a large number who don’t. They have zero concept of throwing and my job is to try to get them to throw the shot as far as possible, as soon as possible. This is my first year coaching at a new school and the kids haven’t had a real throws coach in forever. But the rotational technique is not for everyone. The rotational technique is an outstanding way to propel a shot put a great distance.

Believe me, there is a little more to it than that. Then, with about 45 minutes left, the coaches in charge said, “And now we will talk about the glide.” The talk then pretty much said that you should slide backward into the power position and put the shot. During this clinic, the speakers talked for five hours and 15 minutes about rotational throwing. The clinic was nearly seven hours long with a 45-minute lunch break. I went to a throws clinic once that was supposed to cover both rotational and glide shot putting, as well as the discus throw. The actual glide never seems to get the attention it deserves.

I have spoken about the glide at several track clinics around the country and, when I do, I seem to spend most of the time speaking about the power throw (stand throw). While coaching the throws for over 35 years, I have had the honor of coaching both successful rotational throwers and successful glide throwers.

Sequence game kids