Javelin

To achieve maximum distance in the javelin, the athlete must balance three
components - speed, technique and strength. The information on this page is for a
right-handed thrower.

Throwing the javelin comprises the following phases:

 Start
 Carry
 Withdrawal
 Transition
 Pre-delivery stride
 Delivery
 Recovery

Basic Technique

Please note that the diagram shows a left-handed thrower.

Working from left to right in the above standing throw picture sequence:

 The weight should be over the rear leg

 Hips are forward
 The feet should be in line with the throwing direction
 The throwing arm held parallel to the ground, long and relaxed with the palm
uppermost
 The rear leg drives the hips to the front, transferring the weight from the rear to
the front leg
 The arm is brought in fast and last
 The elbow should be kept high and close to the head, with the javelin being
thrown over the top of the head
The Grip

A strong and stable grip is acquired. The grip must remain firm behind the ledge made
by the binding (cord), and the javelin must run down the length of the palm and not
across it. The fingers, which are not secured above the binding, must press firmly on
the javelin to produce a natural spin at release. The 'V' grip (C) is probably the most
efficient for the novice thrower as it emphasises the supporting role of the palm. Grip
'B' is the one used by most experienced throwers.

Start and Carry

The aim is to carry the javelin to allow the muscles of the right shoulder, arm and
wrist to relax and smooth-running action.

 Stand with right foot forward

 Carry the javelin above the shoulders or head
 Right elbow points forward
 The palm of the right hand points at the sky to provide a platform for the
javelin to sit in
 Javelin points in the direction of the run-up - point slightly down

Approach Run

Experienced throwers will use an approach run of 13 to 17 strides - inexperienced

throwers will use fewer strides.

 Run on the balls of the feet with hips high

 Free arm to swing more across the body
 Carrying arm to flex to maintain carry position of the javelin
 Speed to match the athlete's physical and technical abilities

Withdrawal

The aim is to ensure the withdrawal movement does not affect the athlete's
momentum. A checkmark can be used to indicate the start of the withdrawal phase
that commences with the right foot and lasts for two strides.
  At the checkmark, the athlete accelerates ahead of the javelin rather than
physically pushing the shoulders and javelin back
 Head remains facing in the direction of the throw
 Maintain hips at right angles to the direction of running
 Drive the right leg forwards and upwards to help maintain the correct position
of the hips

Transition

The aim of the transition phase, also known as the cross-over is to place the right foot
ahead of the athlete's centre of gravity to produce the characteristic lean back. This
must be achieved by advancing the right foot forward and not by leaning back.

 The right foot remains close to the ground to maintain forward momentum
 Right heel contacts with the ground
 As the right foot is advanced, the left foot is advanced ahead of the vertical axis
to be in place, ready for a quick plant after the right foot has landed - the trunk
is inclined backwards at an angle of about 115° to the forward horizontal
direction
 The crossover phase ends when the right foot contacts the ground and the left
leg is forward in the air

Pre-delivery stride

 The left leg reaches forward

 Shoulders & hips are now in line with the direction of the throw
 The athlete waits for the ground to come up and meet the left foot
 Trunk is upright
 Head facing the direction of the throw
 Shoulders and javelin parallel
 Throwing hand above the level of the shoulder

Delivery

 Following contact of the left foot with the ground, the left side must brace
against a thrusting right leg action
 Right leg drives upwards and forwards, bringing the hips at 90° to the direction
of the throw
 The hip thrust is followed with the shoulders and chest turning square to the
front and lining up with the hips, and bringing the elbow of the throwing arm
forward
  The throwing shoulder is brought over the left leg
 The left leg should lift as the athlete rides over it, and the throwing arm now
comes into play
 Arm strikes fast with the elbow high and close to the midline
 The release angle (angle between the horizontal and the javelin) has to consider
aerodynamic lift and drag.

Recovery

The left foot remains grounded, and the right leg is brought past it to halt the athlete.
The amount of space needed to stop before the scratch line depends on the amount of
horizontal momentum. This is typically 1.5 to 2 metres. Adjustment of the checkmark
is required to achieve optimum distance on the runway.

Skill Drills

Running activities without the Javelin

 At a steady speed
 With acceleration
 Sideways
 With repeated crossovers
 Crossovers mixed with normal running
 Over low obstacles between each stride

Running activities with the Javelin

 At a steady speed
 With acceleration
 With repeated crossovers
 Crossovers mixed with normal running
 Over low obstacles between each stride
 With repeated withdrawals

Throwing drills can also be performed using a medicine ball, Javelin or sling ball

Optimum Distance

The distance achieved in the javelin is dependent on three parameters:

 the height of release of the javelin

 the angle of release of the javelin
  the speed of release of the javelin

The parameter that has the greatest effect on the potential distance is the speed of
release of the javelin.

To estimate the potential distance achievable when throwing the javelin, enter the
angle of release, the height of release, and speed of release, and then select the
'Calculate' button.
Angle of Height of Speed of
release degrees release metres release m/sec
Distance metres
Optimum Release Angle

Research (Bartonietz 1995)[2] has shown that athletes cannot throw at the same speed
for all projection angles. With ballistics, the same initial speed is applied to the
projectile regardless of the projection angle. As the angle increases, so the speed
decreases. This decrease in speed is a result of two factors:

 As the angle increases, the athlete must expend more energy in overcoming the
weight of the javelin, and so less effort is available to develop the release speed
of the javelin
 The structure of the body favours a throw in the horizontal direction

Each athlete has a unique release velocity and release angle combination that depends
on their size, strength, and throwing technique. Each athlete has their own specific
optimum release angle. Bartonietz (2000)[1] identifies that the optimum release angle
for a world-class javelin thrower may be 33°± 7°

Specifications

The weight specification for the javelin depends on gender and age.

Gender\Age 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-19 20-34

Male 400 grams 600 grams 700 grams 800 grams 800 grams
Female 400 grams 500 grams* 500 grams* 600 grams 600 grams

* British Athletics changes of implements for 2014

Gender\Age 35-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+

Male 800 grams 700 grams 600 grams 500 grams 400 grams
 Female 600 grams 500 grams 400 grams 400 grams 400 grams

Training Programs

A training program has to be developed to meet the athlete's individual needs and
consider many factors: gender, age, strengths, weaknesses, objectives, training
facilities etc. As all athletes have different needs, a single program suitable for all
athletes is not possible.

Training Pathway

Athletes in the Event Group stage

The following is an annual training program suitable for athletes in the Event Group
Development stage:

 General Throws Training Program

Athletes in the Event stage

The following is an example of a specific annual training program suitable for athletes
in the Event development stage:

 Javelin Training Program

Evaluation Tests
The following evaluation tests can be used to monitor the athlete's development:

 60 metres speed test

 Quadrathlon
 Strength test - upper body (Bench Press)
 Strength test - lower body (Leg Press)
 Sit-Ups test - abdominal strength
 Sit and Reach test - lower back and hamstring test
 Vertical Jump test

Rules of Competition

The competition rules for this event are available from:

 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)

 British Athletics