My second competition results

[Ryan Nielson]

Thanks, It looks a little better than the last video I took, but lots of room for improvement. I sure hope I could hit 100 eventually.

Ryan,

WOW that looked TOO easy for you! I expected that typical "I'm gonna loose control" overswing on the last rotation--but you were smooth. Nice job! Hate to see what you could do with boot blades and a bit more of a lean back in your swing.

When you engage your lower body a bit more my guess is than 100 ft. plus isn't going to be a problem for you. You're basically getting as far as you are right now with JUST your upper body!

I'm sort of stuck horsing the hammers from mostly the waist up until my knee can take a bit more flex.

Good job!!!

[Detroitpete]

Ryan,

Check this out...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zkxdh-2cA&NR=1

and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG765FL2fmM&NR=1

See how much their lower body is involved. A guy your size and strength could REALLY do damage this way. Oldfield would sometimes finish with a 180 so he was fully facing down range--but Look at Vierra and how he counter spins with his lower body. That moment on the last rotation as the hammer is coming down to your right foot, your hips and knees would be flexing to your left, then as the hammer came to midpoint in front of you, legs and hips moving to your right. Think of digging your toes into the ground and developing 'push' with your legs at this point. When you do it right, it feels like the hammer rips out of your hands--not like you're throwing it.

I tend to focus on small form movements. I'm only 5'7" and 185 lbs. I may have some muscle, but for me, the real difference in being able to compete--is ALL in form. When my form falls apart, I've got nothing else to rely on ;-)

[katmills2005]

I've seen lots of guys to far far worse on their second game. Keep practicing, get advice where you can, try to get another athlete to come train with you if possible.

*s* Your scores look pretty good to me.

[Ryan Nielson]

Thanks guys. I train the events with a group of usually about 10-12 of us on saturdays. I've learned some things from them.

[Alan H]

BTW, the two things that will bite you in the butt as you work on extending your hammer radius are:

1. keeping your balance

2. shoulder aches and pains.

Or so I hear tell! It really helps if you use some trick to help you keep your head up, well...it helped me, anyway.