PHOTOSEQUENCE: WOLFGANGSCHMIDTBy M. Thieurmel, National Coach, France

This article, originally published in “The Throws –Official Report of the EuropeanAthletic Coaches Association Congress, 1987” is an excellent overview of discus technique using Wolfgang Schmidt as a technical model. Re-printed withpermission from the European Athletic Coaches Association.

This kinogram (photosequence) is of a Wolfgang Schmidt (throw superior to 68meters made in 1976). Despite shooting slightly away from the perpendicularaxis to the line of throw it enables one to illustrate some fundamentalrequirements of throwing.

Balance and amplitude

One should notice the dynamic balance in two particular phases:

when rotating at the back of the circle

when releasing the disc at the end.

After the long rotation on double support, made due to an organization of thethrower in torsion (3) with the right hip fixed on the right foot (heel not loaded)(photos 1 to 6), one can note the vertical axis of rotation above the left foot—condition necessary for the balance required in this phase (photos 7 andfollowing), and which is characterized by the maintenance of the line shoulders-arms. The relaxation and passivity of the left arm during the rotation is a constantcharacteristicof the thrower’s balance.

Note the amplitude of the free segment around the rotating axis and whenbeginning the turn (which is conditioned by the controlled balance on the leftsupport), and which allows the legs and hips to lead the movement, withoutdisturbing the position of the shoulders-line.

Position of the throwing arm

One can note a search for a correct lining up of the shoulders with the arms (leftelbow, shoulders— throwing arm lined up in a perpendicular plane to the body,especially after the landing in the centre of the circle (see photo 16).

Relaxing and leading the movement

The relaxing of the upper part of the body and the leading of the movement withthe legs and hips are easily seen.

There is a search for a constant grip of the legs, hips and legs in regard to theshoulder-line, and this as much during the rotating movement as the translationmovement.

Disc path

Let us note:

the search for the optimal throwing path track, above all from the plant ofthe left foot to the ground (fig 16 and following).

the application of force in the direction followed by the discus, that is tosay on a circular path and in an oblique plane.

Please note the movement of the right shoulder (parallel to the discus path) fromthe foot plant in the centre of the circle.

Torsion

One can note:

a controlled torsion from the preparatory swings (photos 1 to 3) of the discbehind the right hip (photo 3 and following).

the attitude in torsion with the disc above the right shoulder at the plant inthe centre of the circle (photos 14-15).

the maintenance of this torsion due to the continuity of rotation of the rightleg while keeping the body weight on this right leg (photos 14 to 18), andthis for a maximum acceleration forwards of the whole right side (photos18 and19) on the longest path and in the throwing direction.