Athletics: History, Disciplines, and Throwing Techniques

Athletics: A Comprehensive Look at History, Disciplines, and Techniques

The Enduring Legacy of Athletics

Athletics, an individual sport, dates back to much earlier epochs. Both the primary athletics competitions in classical Greece and Rome, including footraces, tests, jumps, and throws described by Homer, marked the beginning of the first Olympic Games. These games continued until the 4th century AD and were restored in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin.

Another significant difference is the program itself, which has evolved from a few sporting activities to a major Olympic sport. Athletics is also a protagonist in events like the Golden League meetings, marathons, and championships. Thomas Arnold, in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was a forerunner in modern sport, regulating and systematizing physical sports activities.

Classification of Sports

Sports can be classified in various ways, offering different perspectives on their structure and interaction:

• Parlebas' Classification

  This author classifies different sports based on the presence or absence of teammates and opponents, and the uncertainty of the environment.

• Bouchard's Classification

  This classification differentiates between sports made with and without direct confrontation:

  • Team Sports: Sports where two or more teams, each with two or more players, compete with opposing objectives.
  • Individual Sports: Sports where no teammate assistance is involved.
  • Adversary Sports: Sports involving direct duel or confrontation.

Athletics Venues

Except for very long-distance and marathon competitions, track and field events can be performed on indoor courts with smaller dimensions or on an outdoor track stadium.

Core Athletics Disciplines

Athletics encompasses a wide range of disciplines, categorized as follows:

• Races:
  • Speed (Sprints)
  • Middle Distance
  • Long Distance
  • Relays
• Jumps:
  • Vertical Jumps: High Jump, Pole Vault
  • Horizontal Jumps: Long Jump, Triple Jump
• Throws:
  • Linear Throws: Javelin Throw, Shot Put
  • Circular Throws: Discus Throw, Hammer Throw
• Combined Events:
  • Decathlon (for men)
  • Heptathlon (for women)

Shot Put

The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" (pushing) a heavy spherical ball—the shot—as far as possible.

Shot Put Specifications

The shot is a spherical ball with specific weight categories:

• For senior men: 7.26 kg
• For senior women: 4 kg
• In the cadet category: 5 kg for boys and 3 kg for girls

Technical Aspects of Throws

The distance achieved in any throwing event depends primarily on three factors: the speed, angle, and height of the artifact's release from its center. It is crucial to coordinate all body actions to achieve maximum speed at the moment of release.

Phases of Shot Put Technique

The shot put technique typically involves five distinct phases:

1. Initial Phase: The shot rests on the neck near the lower jaw, with the body leaning back slightly, preparing for the movement.
2. Balance Phase: From the initial position, the thrower leans forward to simulate balance, initiating the glide or rotational movement across the circle.
3. Grouping Phase: The body groups, flexing the supporting leg, and bringing the free leg and arm closer to the body without executing the final slide or turn.
4. Delivery Phase (Slide/Glide): From the grouped position, an explosive extension of the supporting leg and free leg is performed, directed powerfully towards the inside of the throwing circle, propelling the shot.
5. Recovery Phase: After the throw, the athlete performs a reverse footwork or foot placement to secure balance and avoid fouling by stepping outside the circle.