Mac's Blog

2012-02-01T00:09:00.000-08:00

Where is the discus?

150 minutes for the final.

The cage looks low and the opening wide.

The original plans called for a roof over the stadium but it wasn't added until years later.

In 1979 the World Cup was held here on synthetic turf.

The hammers bounced like 16lb super balls.

It was almost a spectator event!

Montreal Olympics 1976

The discus is just over the rim of the stadium above the first light to the right of my back.

2011-12-01T22:10:00.001-08:00

Retired Thrower in the Park

2011-11-19T15:06:00.001-08:00

Does the blade have to stick to make a legal throw?

Concordia Thrower's training gets a little diverse due to Mac's short attention span.

2011-11-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Power of Conservation of Rotary Momentum

Acceleration by Shortening the Right Leg

This is a key part of throwing far. You must accelerate the rotation of the hips in the middle of the circle and minimize the loss of any rotary momentum during delivery. Shortening the right leg is how it is done. Note the skater's long left leg merely shortens and the rotations increase in speed.

2011-10-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

Krishna Poonia 62.25m W-DT

Makes Olympic 'A' Standard 62m

Pretty Good for short season and 3 months of heavy training in Portland.

Going Slow at the start is the hardest thing to do in the discus.

More efficient technique is required for London.

2011-09-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

"Maintaining the field would be OK if we didn't have to deal with the athletes who use it."
Most maintenance/groundskeepers at schools

"Putting on the Olympics would be fun if we didn't have any athletes to hassle us."
Many IOC officials.

"We need to do what's right for the athlete."
Bill Bowerman

2011-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Little Known Secret of Olympic & World Championship Throws Competitions!

At these big international meets the implements are provided by the competition. Athletes may NOT use their own gear. A cart with several rows of implements is wheeled out to the throwing area for the throwers.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS but only one or two of the implements are close to the legal weight. Of the 20 or more implements available 18 or 19 are 12% - 15% over weight. Most men's discii weigh 2.3kg to 2.5kg. Most women's discii are 1.25kg. In the shot it is about 7.75kg for men and 4.5kg for women.

THIS IS WHY only one or two throwers come close to their season's best in the Big Meet while all others are well of their top form. Look at the results with so many 66m men throwing the discus 60m-62m at the World Championships.

Physically all are ready to go. That's the easy part. Mentally however, only one or two are sharp enough to know which implements are the best to throw! This awareness is the result of a consistent, stable, well grooved technique and rhythm and confidence resulting from a record of success. ;-) Mac

See more of this stuff at Mac Wilkins Throws Channel at YouTube, The Wilkins Review, and Mac Wilkins web site.

Women's Discus - 66m at 20 years old

2010-11-27T14:50:00.000-08:00

Here's how to do it!

See the full video at The Wilkins Review.

Notice how Sandra doesn't:

fall out of the back and

land high and forward in the power position!

Our Inspiration

2007-10-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Synchronized Wolfgang

2007-10-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Mingara NSW, Australia, Two discus throwers who have never met before this day and have not thrown in over 12 years find common ground in this ancient activity. Shown is a spontaneous, unrehearsed balletic duet of Wolfgang Schmidt's Silver Medal throw in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Balance - The First Key

2007-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Get your left shoulder over the left foot before unseating or moving to the middle of the circle.

Getting Started

2007-10-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

This blog will be a start to getting more involved in the throwing world.
I look forward to your input over time on how to make this a better resource

What’s Coming:
Building a Website to cover “Mac’s World of Throws”

This blog is to be a resource for throwers and coaches at all levels:
Beginners of all ages,
Middle and High School
Collegiate
Elite
Masters

I will be posting technical information open for discussion from you.

Products & Services that will include:
DVD & VHS Gold Medal Discus and Basic 70’ Shot Putting
Downloadable: Sequence Photos, Mini clips that “peel the layers off the onion”.
Webinars with Mac and “friends” including live Q&A
On Demand Webinars: Recordings of the above live Web shows.
Video Analysis by Mac - Share a live analysis of a video of your throw with Mac

Some products will be free and some will be for a fee.