So now, I'm going to crap about discus, for the good of Zhen Wen. Pictures provided after thursday, which is like my first training session in 2-3 weeks.

1. The Discus is an athletic throwing event in track and field competition. The discus, the object to be thrown, is a heavy lenticular disc with a diameter of 220 mm (8.66 inches) and a weight of two kilograms (4 lb 7 oz) for the men's event, and one kg (2 lb 3 oz) for the women's, with a smaller diameter of 181 mm (7.17 inches). In U.S. high school track and field, boys typically throw a discus weighing 1.616 kg (3 lb 9 oz) and the girls throw the 1 kg (2.2 lb) women's disc. The discus can be thrown starting at age 11 (midget division). Most children throw the 1 kg discus. The discus usually has sides made of rubber, plastic, wood, or metal with a metal rim and a metal core to attain the weight. A discus with more weight in the rim produces greater angular momentum for any given spin rate, and thus more stability, although it is more difficult to throw. A practice discus made of solid rubber is often used in High School; it is cheaper, more durable, and easier to learn to throw (due to its more equal distribution of weight, as opposed to the heavy rim weight of the metal rim/core discus).

2. Discus throwing is an ancient sport. In the 5th century BC the sculptor Myron made a statue of a discus thrower (Discobolus), which is world-famous today (although the technique obviously employed by that ancient thrower is no longer considered anywhere near optimal).

3. To make a throw, the competitor starts in a slightly recessed concrete-surfaced circle of 2.5 meters (8 feet 2½ inches) diameter. The thrower typically takes an initial stance facing away from the direction of the throw. He then spins around one and a half times through the circle to build momentum, then releases his throw. The discus must land within a 40-degree or 60-degree arc marked by lines on the landing zone, and the competitor must not exit the circle until the discus has landed, then must wait for the judge to give clearance to exit the ring from the rear half. The distance from the front edge of the circle to where the discus has landed is measured, and distances are rounded down to the nearest centimeter or half-inch. The competitor's best throw from the allocated number of throws, typically three to six, is recorded, and the competitor who legally throws the discus the farthest is declared the winner. Ties are broken by determining which thrower has the longer second-best throw.

4. The basic motion is a forehanded sidearm movement. The discus is spun off the index finger or the middle finger of the throwing hand, spinning clockwise when viewed above for a right-handed thrower, and vice-versa. As well as achieving maximum momentum in the discus on throwing, the discus's distance is also determined by the trajectory the thrower imparts, as well as the aerodynamic behaviour of the discus. Generally, one wishes to throw into a moderate headwind to achieve maximum throws. Also, a faster-spinning discus imparts greater gyroscopic stability. The technique of discus throwing is quite difficult to master and needs lots of experience to get right, thus most top throwers are thirty years old or older.

5. A common technique employed by younger people is to not spin at all, but to jump forward a step to gather momentum. Although it doesn't provide as much power, it is easier to do.

6. Interestingly, the discus is the only track and field event in which a men's world record has never been set during the Olympic Games.

Enough of that Wikipedia crap. Now lim peh is going to elaborate on some details. For Zhen Wen, who is Sec 2 now, he will throw a 1kg discus. Normally, the discus distance thrown for 1kg in Sec 2 is about the distance you throw in Sec 4. So Zhen Wen should optimally throw 25m. In the Four-School Sports Meet, there is no choice of discus. You will get the wooden discus with the metal rim. So during training, please do NOT take the rubber discus, which has different aerodynamic capabilities (Refer to 1.)

Since we do not do spin throws (unless you want 1000 people to laugh at you), we stand perpendicular to where we want to throw at. Make sure your target point, your left leg and right leg are parallel to one another. For a right-handed thrower, like Zhen Wen, he has to place his left leg nearer to the circle. Confident throwers (lim peh) will stand with the foot to the edge of the circle, as distance is calculated from the middle of the circle. However, if you leave the circle before the judge, referee, w/e asks you to, your throw is void. And you can only leave from the rear half of the circle.

Quoting "4. The basic motion ... or older.". Lim peh will talk about stationary throw, as its the only one i can do well. it basically means that you throw with the palm of your hand facing the floor. The first part is known as the charging part, where you swing your discus backwards and support it with the other hand. Do it a few times to gain momentum. Upon the last charge, swing backward more and use upper body strength and leg strength to throw the discus out. Bending your legs a little during the whole throw will help. Upon release, your hand must be straight. Use the middle and index finger to impart a spin (just a spin) on the discus, instead of the 4th finger or pinkeh, as this will result in the discus coming out of the back of your hand, drastically reducing distance. Wind generally does not affect your throw much, but during the Sports Meet, you could wait for a better wind if the original wind direction is against you. The harder you spin, the more stable it is, and won't flap like an Indian's roti prata flying through the air. Anyway, not all top throwers are 30 and above. I'm only 17.

Do not ever jump when you release the discus. Coach will scold you until you cry, and it doesn't do much except hurt your ankle when you land.

Any type of throw is allowed, as long as you use your hand. You can throw it both handed, frisbee it through the air, or spin it like a basketball. As long as you don't throw out of bounds, that is. Speaking of that, a 40 (most likely) or 60 degree arc marks the boundary where the discus must land to be considered a qualified throw. And discus is the hardest, and of course most seh throw. So it fits Zhen Wen well. Anyone who reads this should join, as long as you're in DHS. Sec 3s and 4s are not recommended, as the 1.5kg discus will be harder to throw. Girls always throw 1kg (wtf la), so all can come. Sec 2 guys will have the most chance to win medals though.

Anyway the world record is 76.80m for women and 74.08m for guys. Of course, guys throw the 2kg discus, which is significantly harder to throw than the wussy 1kg.

yourMOTHERdied @ 3:49 AM!!