ods than any of the other track events.
Professional sprinting was popular long
before the other track events seemed to
take the headlines. These men made a

study of sprinting and most of our early
track coaches were graduates from the
ranks of the professional sprinters. Nat-
urally, they were better versed in the art

of sprinting than they were in the other
track events; hence no really drastic
changes in coaching sprinters are notice-
able, as in many of the other events.

Alfred Blozis, the Present
Champion Shot-Putter

HE shot put is an event for big

men. It requires strength and

weight. This was especially true of

the old-timers such as Ralph Rose of

Michigan, Arlie Mucks of Wisconsin, Hill

of Princeton, and others. They were all

big and strong. The taller the athlete, as

a rule, the better the shot putter he
will be.

More recently we have had Torrance of
Louisiana, Hackney of Kansas, who pos-
sessed not only the strength and weight of
the shot putters previously mentioned but
speed as well.

Alfred Blozis of Georgetown, the pres-
ent champion, is fast. He has high-jumped
over 5 feet 11 inches. He is 6 feet 6 inches
tall and weighs 245 pounds. He is relaxed
in traveling across the circle. Ed Beetem
of Pennsylvania is taller and heavier than
Blozis, but does not have the speed.

One of the greatest shot putters for his
size, that it has been the writer’s privilege
to see, was Clarence “Bud” Houser of
Southern California. He really had marve-
lous form and a wonderful kick with his
forearm and wrist at the end of his put.
He was a small man in comparison with
his competitors.

What we are trying to do in the shot put
is to get maximum distance. Whether the
athlete, using the 16-pound ball, should
use the large iron shot or the small bronze
is up to the individual. Whether he should
curl his index finger is a matter for the
putter to decide. He should not grip the
shot but lay it high on his fingers. That is,
he should not keep it down in the palm of
the hand, but keep it near the center joint
of the fingers.

In the seven-foot circle the putter
should start from the rear of the circle and
must generate as. much speed across the
circle as he can control, get all his weight,
strength, and power behind his put. He
must move in a straight line releasing the
shot at the right time with the proper ele-
vation. When he releases the shot, he
should let it roll off his fingers in such a
way that it gives him the feeling that he
is losing it.

After the release the momentum must
be so controlled that the athlete does not
foul. During all this time these move-
ments must be co-ordinated and the indi-
vidual must be relaxed. Then, and only

46

. against his chin.

By Elmer P. Hardell
Track Coach, Georgetown University

then, will he get his maximum put. One
or more faults will be detrimental to his
performing to his maximum efficiency.
This good form that the putter must
continually strive for will require study on
his part and also on the part of his coach.
It takes time. He should correct one fault
at a time. He should observe other shot
putters in action, look at photographs and
moving pictures of the good putters, but
he should not be hasty to change and copy
others. No two individuals are alike. If a
putter happens to notice good points in
others and he can fit them in with his
style, he should adopt them, otherwise he
should not. When performances bring re-
sults—then he may take the advice of

“Steve” Farrell, my former track coach,

who used to say, “Form is all right but
remember, performances get the watches.”

A putter must get his weight and power
behind the shot. There should be no hesi-
tation from the start to the finish. He
should work for a smooth performance,

‘going across the ring with all the speed

that he can handle and staying relaxed.
He must not release the shot too soon. He
must continually work for speed, smooth-
ness, relaxation and co-ordination; must
pay attention to his foot marks; give him-
self sufficient room in which to reverse,
work for a good push-off from the toe of
the rear leg and get all his power into the
the final delivery.

Leo Sexton, a former Georgetown shot
putter and, after graduation, the world’s
champion shot putter, laid the foundation
for his success by developing his legs as a
high jumper and pole vaulter while at
college. So, in training, I would suggest
some sprinting, thirty to forty yards; some
high jumping, standing broad jumps, and
work over a few low hurdles.

Position in the Ring

_ The putter should stand, relaxed and at

ease, as far to the rear of the circle, as he
can without standing on the circle. The
Californian, Herbert Michaels, is a pic-
ture of relaxation at this initial stage of his
put. Some hold the shot in the hollow of
the neck. Michaels holds his away from
the shoulder. Blozis places his shot right
Several preliminary
movements here get the putter on his way.
The fewer these movements the better.

“Dink” Templeton, a great weight coach,
uses the very appropriate expression of
working for body drive and body swing.
The putter should remember to keep his
body behind the weight and under it.

The Glide—The Reverse—The Wrist
Snap

The putter must not pause in the put
after landing from the hop or glide. Some
men land with their right foot in the mid-
dle of the circle, others behind it. A few
may land ahead of the center but that cuts
down the room for the reverse. He must
let his elbow pass close to his body and on
a line with the direction of the put. He
should practice with and without the shot.
He must not let his left shoulder drop as
he goes across the ring. In gliding he
should stay close to the ground. He must
go forward, not upward, he must go across
the circle in a straight line. He should not
start too fast but should pick up speed
and momentum as he goes.

The shot putter should work on the re-
verse. He should not be afraid of fouling
in the beginning. He should keep his feet
close to the ground.

He should develop a good wrist snap or
flip which will add to the distance of his
put.

It is necessary that the shot putter
always warm up well before putting. He
should do some running to limber up his
legs. Whenever his arm feels a bit sore in
practice, he should stop. He is putting too
much or improperly. Shot putters should
not become discouraged when they seem
to make no progress. Plateaus of learning
are natural.

Common Faults

1. Starting too fast across the ring at
the beginning; 2. Too tense; 3. Undue leg
motion at the beginning; 4. Releasing the
shot too soon; 5. Dropping the left shoul-
der; 6. Pausing in the center of the ring;
7. Lack of good hip motion.

The accompanying action pictures are of
“Al” Blozis. He delivers in a straight line.
In meets, he generally puts his sweat shirt
out as a target, at which to aim. He is a
good competitor, a fine fellow who takes
his honors well. It is a real pleasure to
work with him.

THE ATHLETIC JOURNAL