Discus Training

Distance is not just about how hard you throw. Where the discus peaks in the air determines how far it travels. Watch the short video version here. 

The Orbit of the Discus

The orbit of the discus refers to the path the implement travels while in the thrower's hand throughout the rotation. As the athlete moves through the circle, the discus sweeps around the body in a wide, circular path. Where this connects directly to distance is at the high point of the throw. If the orbit is maintained correctly through the rotation and the thrower finishes with their chest driving toward the center of the sector, the discus releases on a path that puts its apex over the middle of the sector, which is exactly where it needs to be to maximize carry and land in bounds. A disc that peaks left or right of center drifts wide and loses distance tends to start from a midaligned low-point in their throw.