Merv the not so swerve!

[nije]

Here are a couple of throws of Merv this weekend. His posture is much better and on sunday we got him running down the line and on his better throws (some went very straight) he managed not to block his left foot infornt of his right. We also tried to get him to drop the point at the start and keep it 'big at the back' hand high and drop the left shoulder on the impulse stride (which was pointing at about 80-70 degrees on other videos).

Funily enough,when asked, he thought his thowing hand was quite high when it wasn't and on one occasion his tail hit the ground and ended up correcting itself and he lashed it over the top and straight. My personal feeling is that he need to drop his left shoulder and raise his right - so he is altering the plane of the shoulder to straighten up the delivery as when is is low, he rotates around his left foot and gets that swerve thing going on!

One or two throws were looking very good and I am pleased that he seems to be progressing now - it is about time matey!!!

We did mention this weekend at the nat squad to tune into this site - and as I suspected, nearly all do (as slinger found out!! ) but few post for one reason or another. Some felt awkward as they didn't want to be belittled as some of us have been from time to time and another point is that some people seem to get very offended or defensive when comments are made about techniques or the like. On a personal note, I don't attempt to offend just comment on what I see and if you don't like it ... it is only an opinion and can be easily and politely dismissed.

I thought the nat squad by and large went very well and some suggestions have been made for the next one I believe. The lack of athletes was an issue and perhaps next time there will be more. One good thing that came out of it was that the athletes set target for the next session and over the season. It was good to hear that the athletes had a plan both physically and technically. I thought that Merv is beginning to look the part and happy to hear that Dave (who looked sharp) is addressing his right foot issue and seems to be taking a long term look at his technical development. The others who threw looked good as well with things to work on for next time.

I enjoyed meeting up with old and new faces and talking shop to the early hours!

s162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/Bevjavboy/?action=view¤t=Mtoohigh.flv

s162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/Bevjavboy/?action=view¤t=mervsun.flv

s162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/Bevjavboy/?action=view¤t=mervsat.flv

[slinger]

wasn't the lack of athletes there due to the national javelin scene being coach based?

in my opinion the national squad should be to do with athletes - like minded people, often good mates getting together for a good weekends work. The winter is a lonely cold place when you train outside and on your own

however, it's also my opinion that coaches deserve to be helped and learn new stuff to benefit their athletes and with that in mind i respect the idea of this years javelin national squad being 'coach focused'

if i was UKa i'd be paying for someone like klaus bartoneitz or kari ihalainen to see if they'd come over for a weekend and let us learn from two of the greatest javelin nations ever - germany and finland.....maybe get backley and zelezny here together - reunite old rivals and friends and share some of their thoughts on the event and the training that goes with it.

a quick word on something nije commented on - when posting on forums it's often difficult to put across the tone of what you saying, we have the little emoticons to help us put how we are saying things across, but occasionally misunderstandings can occur.

lastly, i don't think it's correct to pass comment or judgment on somebodies technique or what they are doing unless it's been asked for.

anyway, i'm really glad everyone had a good time

[wez]

slinger said:

lastly, i don't think it's correct to pass comment or judgment on somebodies technique or what they are doing unless it's been asked for.

I'm guessing you mean when discussions come up about throwers technique who do not really have anything to do with the site. A couple of people have been offended like that in the past which is a big shame because i know thats not the intention of the forum.

I know i comment quite often, partly to help others and partly to develop my understanding of things. I hope i haven't offended anyone but if you post a video up or start a thread about your technique or training i assume that it means you are looking for comments or guidance.

Its interesting to hear that alot of the nat squad folk do visit the site but don't post. Its a shame if the reason for that is because they feel awkward or embarrassed to look for advice or indeed make their own comments.

I really believe that one of the best ways to improve both technique and understanding of the event is to be brave and make your opinions known and/or open yourself to criticism. Even if you totally disagree with whats said it still is an aid to reinforce your own beliefs but more often than not others will bring up something new and useful. Whats the worst that can happen? even if you get shot down in flames, it doesn't make you a fool because only a truly wise man can admit when they are wrong and you can only become wiser from the experience.

Then again its not for everyone, if your coach and support group are doing it all for you and you are completely happy then there is no need to look elsewhere for help.

[Administrator]

Great to see Merv nice and tall and looking in great form already for next year - what a massive improvement from 59m to 75m in 3 years and still showing more promise to keep improving. Looks like the national squad was really useful for him and that John has brought back some good tips from Finland for him!

[wez]

I do agree btw that Merv is beginning to look like a very different creature indeed!

[nije]

If things are posted - surely it is fair game to comment in a free world!

[slinger]

yeah - i suppose it is, i just don't think it's polite to unless asked

[nije]

Then don't post it. Does that make sense - or are we turning into sensitive human beings. Now if this was football- people would be tearing strips off each other. Look at what poor McLaren has to gone through, or what BEcks did when he got sent off.

Peace

[Patience]

nije said:

If things are posted - surely it is fair game to comment in a free world!

I think this is where some of the issue lies.

The athlete is a psychologically difficult creature. How many of us know people in our training groups that need to be handled differently from each other? Some people appear to handle the banter and quite clearly some others don't. And of those that apear to be able to handle it, how many can't?

If someone posts a clip of themselves on here and asks for comments then by all means comment. However, try to remember that people struggle to handle too much information. A couple of comments from each person can suddenly create a list of "faults" that the athlete cannot process / handle. Suddenly, instead of helping the reverse is achieved.

I don't post any vids of me because I know I cannot handle the criticism.

If someone posts a clip of another person then I would not see that as an invitation to comment afterall, has the person on the clip consented?

[nije]

Point made well and taken Patience but on the other side of the coin - do Piktamiki, Backley etc complain about people posting them on utube and then comments may be sent their way. I think some people are a little over sensitive over ths issue and TBH I don't atually see it as much of an issue on this site. E.g. did everyone consent to the sheffield video and does it bother them if they weren't.

Peace out!

[Patience]

nije said:

do Piktamiki, Backley etc complain about people posting them on utube

Pitkämäki, Backley et all get very well paid for what they do. For the vast majority of the rest of us, it's just a hobby.

[slinger]

"lastly, i don't think it's correct to pass comment or judgment on somebodies technique or what they are doing unless it's been asked for."

i didn't mean about a person posting a throw or an exercise etc on here, as generally it is always looking for advice just in general whether discussing it on here or not.

i have been culprit in the past and you get carried away, but the more i sit and think about it it isn't fair really, like i said not it's not polite.

[lifebeginsat40]

slinger said:

yeah - i suppose it is, i just don't think it's polite to unless asked

Merv does not have a problem, nor Sadie, nor Me if our videos or pics are anywhere. I personally would ask (as I have) if I can post videos of Athletes (Mick,James Cambell,Dave Parker, Sarah Ann etc). That is not to say other Athletes have the same thoughts. I do wonder, however, if I posted something up and said, here is Athlete a, but he/she needs to keep their hand up or whatever, what would be said

There can be problems with Forums in that the tone is sometimes hard to know (a la text messages!), so always best to use the smilies and stuff I suppose!

I would personally not post stuff if I did not want things commenting on. I suppose we are all grown up enough to know that some opinions are listened to and some are not...thats like! ;D

We do though, have to respect anybody who does not want to be commented on, if we like it or not.

[nije]

Fair comment Chris. I think we are making a bt of a muontaj out of a mole hill as I said before, seldom do we get comments unless asked for unless it is to marvel at something!!!!!! As far as being paid and one being a hobby determining whether or not comments can be made, I'm not sure about that one patience and in this case I was respectfully agree to disagree with you for once as you talk sense - as you did about this issue!!!!!! I haven't looked yet but has anyone commented on the sheffield video - or has this discussion scared people off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace