The Deficiencies of Indoor Track and Field
Many of the issues I raise in the article are related to the reasons why I will not be competing in the weight throw this indoor season. Specifically, I see three main reasons why the weight throw is not an ideal training implement. First, by competing indoors, the competitive season last more than half of the year and detracts from the amount of substantive training each athlete can conduct. Second, while the weight throw does improve strength, it is not the most efficient way to improve strength. Implements of other weights and lengths improve special strength while allowing an athlete to better maintain his or her technique. Finally, the weight throw is not contested at the Olympics. For me, if I want to be an Olympian in the hammer throw, and the best way for me to do that is to focus on the hammer throw.






I agree. If athletes emphasize the weight, they may have good progress increasing upper body strength. For a hammer thrower, the time spent in the weight room could be put to better use. The weight throw also allows a pulling technique which is pretty much detrimental to the actual hammer throw.