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Throwing the hammer is an athletic field event, competed by both men and women. The object of the event, to see which competitor can throw the hammer the furthest.
Popularity
Although not as popular as running, field athletics of which throwing the hammer is one, is hugely popular in the UK and throughout the world.
Location
Throwing the hammer is a summer outdoor athletic stadium activity. Athletic clubs with access to athletic tracks can be found in towns and cities across the country, senior schools and collages often have athletic facilities that can be used.
Age
The hammer is normally not thrown seriously before the age of fourteen years. Children younger than this are normally started by throwing an object such as a cricket ball. Hammer throwers compete until around the age of forty years.
Ability
Hammer throwing is not a suitable activity for athletes of all phisical ability. Throwing the hammer is more suited to athletes of heavier build, and the ability to spin quickly within the throwing circle, to launch the hammer.
Description
The hammer is a metal sphere weighing a minimum of 7.260kg attached to a metal wire of between 117.5 and 121.5mm in length, with a grip at the end. The hammer is thrown from a marked circle into a marked sector. The thrower has a series of throws the longest single throw counting. The thrower is not allowed to step out of the circle until after the hammer has landed.
Dedication
Like all competitive phisical activities, throwing the hammer needs regular training, this includes practising throwing technique as well as track and gym work.
Potential
Throwing the hammer is a competition held within an athletic meeting. The local club athletes progression potential is Club competitions Inter club and county competitions Nationals European championships World championships Olympic games
Closely
Related Activities
Athletics 32, Other athletic throwing disciplines are; Discus 27, Javelin 31, Shot Put 37.
Cost
A hammer thrower needs a hammer that costs from around two hundred and fifty pounds and a normal track athletes clothing. An athletic club with a discus throwing facility must bear the cost of a throwing cage and throwing concrete circle and measuring equipment, this can cost around five hundred pounds.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
|
Legs
|
Sight
|
Hearing
|
Speech |
Learning |
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