A well-designed teaching progression is necessary to effectively coach the discus.
In the video clip below esigned to teach each fundamental move. In the video clip Don Babbitt,
University of Georgia Associate Head Coach breaks down one of the key drills in his teaching progression – The Front Throw
Coach Babbitt states that once he completes the Stand Throw from the Knee, he progresses to the Front Throw.
To begin the Front Throw have your athlete face the throwing area with their toes against the ring. This will take any right to left shifting out of the picture and allow the athlete to focus on rotating the trunk and releasing the discus properly.
A key coaching point is to make sure that the athlete is timing the extension legs with the release of the arm as they throw the discus into the center third of the sector. You will also want to make sure that they are getting proper rotation on the discus.
Another key coaching point with respect to the non-throwing arm. When the throwing arm goes back the non-throwing arm should extend forward and then when the throwing arm comes forward the non-throwing arm should shorten to the body.
Once the mechanics of the Front Throw are mastered, then you can move on to the Stand Throw.
This clip is taken from Coach Bobbitts instructional DVD entitled Don Babbitt’s Teaching Progression for the Discus.
Coach Bobbitt has been highly successful in coaching throwers. He has coached 29 NCAA Champions and 139 All-Americans;
has coached 53 throwers who have competed at the Olympic Games & World Championships.
If you would like to learn more about how he coaches the Discus Click Here.
The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are turned on.