The skill of shot-putting is in the athlete controlling his/her power. The athlete stands in a 7ft-diameter circle, and the shot, a smooth metal ball, delivered from the neck, is then thrown into the air as the athlete reaches a face-forward position.

Shotput Connect

Athletics throw

The technique

Combined event

Shot-putters tend to have robust, heavy frames as this event requires explosive raw power. There are two different styles that competitors use in shot put. The first is when the athlete stands in the circle with their back to where the shot will land and then hops towards the front of the circle before approaching the front, twisting around and releasing the shot.

The other method sees the thrower spin around through 540 degrees before releasing the shot in a style similar to that used when throwing the discus; this method provides the thrower with greater speed but it is much harder to control.

Statistics

  • The current men's world record-holder for shot-put is Randy Barnes (USA), who threw the shot 23.12m in 1990.

  • The current women's world record-holder for shot-put is Natalya Lisovskaya (RUS), who threw the shot 22.63m in 1987.

athletics key facts

Key facts

  • In the Olympics 12 competitors qualify for the shot put final.

  • The weight of the men’s shot is 16 pounds, and the women's is 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

running feet

Rules

  • Once the athlete’s name has been called they have 20 seconds to begin their throwing motion.

  • While competitors are permitted to touch the inside edge of the circle, they must not touch the top or outside of the toe board.

  • An athlete commits a foul if he touches the top of the toe board or iron ring, or goes outside the circle before the shot lands.

  • If an athlete's shot lands outside the throwing sector or leaves it from the rear half of the circle, it is a foul.