What do you focus on?

[Lovett]

When it comes to a comp....your on the runway, just about to throw....what do you focus on? Are you aggressive, relaxed, fixed on point in the stand, lookin to do something technically well...etc etc!

I myself like to stay relaxed, i tend not to think about my technic....but think about throwing as hard as i possably can. I also find it hard to fix on a something high in the stadium, as i'm always conscious of the line....i tend to look low but far i.e high jump or end of the field.

[motherhen]

Ok visually. I look at something between the track and skyline at the far end of the stadium. I usually find a tree or lamp post that does nicely. I never look at the line. You just got to trust your run-up thats you've measured out. When on the runway I stop thinking about my throw pretty much. I've done that between rounds. Its almost a "sod it" attitude. I know what I have to do so time to do it kinda thing.

Its taken me years to get it but its worth foe me especially when things arent always going well as it mean I stay more focused, positive and constructive during a comp. It stopped the anger, tantrums, tears, and generlly feeling sick which was better for me, my coach and my family!

I use music as a focusing tool and even if I havent got a walkman I have a certain dance track in my head to help clear everything out.

[SCater]

Visually theres always a lamp post at the far end of the track to use, if not i visualise my little bro standing on the 60m mark lol

last year as i couldnt do a full run up cause of ankle injury i tended to aim for the guy with the tape ;D dont know why??? just whichever side the tape guy was thats the way my jav went

Im generally a very relaxed person anyway, alot of the time to relaxed and i dont put enough into the throw, theres always a fine line between being relaxed enough to throw, too agressive during a throw and over relaxed (i.e. lazy mode ) ive found the right place a few times but apparently it takes approx 1000 throws to hit a big one. im still waiting lol

in the mens league comps i generally dont have time to really think about the javelin as i have shot put on at the same time, which is always fun...one throw of shot sprint to javelin at opposite end of track almost get my boots on then its my turn to throw, i throw then run back to shot boots to trainers then throw then run back.....this goes on for all 12 throws, 6 of each...then when thats finished its usually grab a drink then time for discus.


I have never understood why the the British mens league have the shot and jav on at the same time, surely they have realised by now thet most throwers do all the throwing events??? wouldnt it be simpler to have shot and discus or shot and hammer on at the same time? no messing about with changing off footwear then

[sam]

i tend to try to stay relaxed and then when i go to throw i give out a really loud shout.. since i started shouting i have found that the javelin is hit with more speed and power...
all my 50m+ throws have been while giving a loud shout.. so that's my tactic for this year.. bring your ear plugs

[tomd]

I have been working on keeping the sight line fixed in order to keep the upper body up in the throw. When my sight line wanders I tend to drop the chest and seperate as I throw. When it is fixed (far end of track about tree height) I tend to drive into the throw, have a solid base and throw a lot better

[Mack]

When I am at the end of the runway I consentrate on the chalk on the grip on the jav and look down the runway.... not at anything really.. it's all a blur.

When you hear about people getting in the ZONE i understand what they mean. When I throw well I blank out. I know the trow went well, but I could not tell you what I did, what my technique was like, couldn't hear anything around me..... it feels like??? slow motion and you just don't think.... nothing else matters and nothing gets in. I promise. I f some one ran infront of me I would run right into them and wake up on the floor.

I know all the work I have put in over the winters and summers developing my technique just kicks in automatically. I do love that feeling though.

But It only happens every now and then when the blood is pumping, confidence is high and I have had a good throw warm up before the comp. ;D

[JB]

I've found the best thing that works for me is to get angry, very angry and ready to explode. it definatly helps me get the arm strike quicker but probably results in it coming to early. to do this i find rocky music tres loud on a personal stereo works a treat ! gets you in the mood to throw far and kick dolph lungdrens backside !

as far as focal point goes i have heard that backley stares at a point around 10m in front of the line on the floor, the idea being it helps him carry his centre of gravity forward in a straight line into that point and hence through the throw.

i tend to look at point about tree high straight down the middle of the field, something that sticks out and try and nail it. at pendle last week i aimed for the motorway signed on the hill past the track and this worked a treat.

it is however important to remember that most pro throwers, and most atheltes, interviewed after records tend to say the same thing, that they were relaxed and didnt really think of anything, just let it happen. this is excellently explained with reference to javelin in tom petranoffs 'let the throw happen' artcile posted on this site by BP (in general section titled look and learn).

also if your too fired up and thinking about other stuff your arm may not be relaxed and not have a full extension. this reduces the power potential of the arm as the longer the pull the higher the power in the strike, its basic physics.

ive probably muddied the water further here but i would suggest that the 'zone' state of relaxation is the best way to be but may only work in those who have there techniques nailed down. for us other mere mortals i would suggest finding a basic routine that works like the tree line of sight and repeat it until you think your technique is sufficient that you can just let go with the confidence that your many hours of training and muscle memoery will come good.