Fustrated, i really need help over coming this

[turbojav]

hey guys, i'm new at this, i really love javelin and i want to be great it, so i constantly search the web for info on it and i came across this forum. ok, my problem is that i'm 22 and i've been throwing for 4 yrs, btu during this time i stop trianing for about 2yrs because i swtiched to volleyball. i'm from the caribbean and i'm now in the usa training javelin again and goign to school. i basically coach myself asl there is no javelin coach at the school. my throws when i was really into javeling ranged 53-57 and since i've coem to the states i've gotten stronger and my throwing range has dropped. i think my block is pretty strong but i noticed that when i release the jav, it goes out slightly on a side and i guess as you would say not though a point, i fugure this is the reason for my distance being cut, can you guys help me find what the possible problem could be or maybe suggest soem drills or what i can do to correct my javeling not goign though the point. i'm really getting frustrated cause i knwo i can throw futher but the jav just not making it. thanks

[wez]

Video yourself doing a few throws from a full runup and then pickout what you think was the best one or two and post them in the videos section and we will give you some analysis and advice from that. In the meanwhile take a look at this throws sequence

www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/javelin/photo.htm

and try to compare your technique to it- notice how in the plant, pull, and delivery phase he keeps his body upright and blocked all the way up the left side. Falling away from the javelin or moving in a non-linear motion is one of the biggest causes of not delivering 'through the tube'.

[slinger]

wez talks of during the delivery pulling your body away to one side and applying force not along the length of the javelin and these are good points to look for, as wez says a weak left side will always collapse and you'll apply force along the javelin by the fall away in a undesired way, but you say you feel you block well so maybe [remember the block isn't a matter of maintaining a braced left leg, it's the whole left side too] it's another slight problem, maybe your actual javelin control and the path in which you deliver the javelin adds this "side"

i'd suggest looking at your overall javelin control, if the implement is moving around not under control during the X over phase through to delivery then it will always cause inconsistent flights regarding how clean they are hit.

as for drills, my advice is to also perform practice run throughs and run ups with out actually throwing the javelin at the end, by doing these you can work on different emphasis without actually having to think about throwing at the end [which often takes the focus off the emphasis we are working on - that rush of blood to the head you see! we just can't help ourselves ;D] anyway these are also great for working on your running technique and X over technique too.

another drill to work on point control during actual throwing is to set a target at say 20m away straight in front of you and throw the javelin in a way that you are trying to hit it! we use little plastic cones but when i have done this with young kids in the past balloons are great!!! then slowly move the target marker a little further away from you and eventually you'll be at full distance.

lastly and this is important, don't get frustrated!!! nothing is solved by trying harder and getting impatient, promise! been there and done that i'm afraid ;D

oh yeah, you say you've gotten stronger since going to the states that's great but don't forget to maintain your mobility and don't neglect your "athletic training" like jumps, sprints and ball throws

hope i've helped some.

[turbojav]

hey wez, i'll get on posting those videos as soon as possible and i did take a look at the photo sequences like you said i think you are hunch was correct about falling away, i think i do i fall away alittle or alot, but i'll get those videos posted so you can tell me what you think.

hey slinger, you were also correct when you made your statement about the block, cause i often concentrate on bracing that left knee and figure i'm blocking good. i think my implement stays steady in the x overs but when strike i think thats where it strays off tube line and goes out to the right, so i think my wrist is going one way and the jav off to another line, so its like the cord and thetip are not following the same path, btu like wez said i'll get those videos up so you guys can take a look at them, andi would greatly appreciate both of your critiques and suggestions. oh yea, slinger i will def try that cone drill and as you said some more run throughs and thanks a whole lot for the encouragement.

[slinger]

hey, if you do film your throwing ensure you take some film of you throwing from behind and even in front of you if you can, this could be more helpful than normal side on stuff.

[wez]

Right yes that would be useful to see how you deviate from the throwing path, but i think one from the side would be good too because there may well be something els too that we could help you with. Take one vid from your right if you are a right handed thrower

[turbojav]

hey guys, sorry i took so long buti have the videos, the only problem is tha ti realised i dont' know how to post them, get back to me on that and i will put them up for you guys to critque and help me

[wez]

load the vids up onto u tube and then post us the links in the video section

[slinger]

great idea! man, i love 'you tube!'