From Complete Book of Throws by Jay Silvester
Every technique in every event has advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage that the spin possesses over other techniques is that both the thrower and the shot travel a much greater distance in the shot ring, thereby resulting in the potential to accelerate the shot to greater velocity than when using the glide. There is also the potential for greater, more efficient use of body levers to accelerate by both the body and the shot as they travel through the circle. The disadvantages are (1) the shot circle is somewhat smaller than the discus circle, and the turn performed must be tighter; (2) the discus, at the end of an extended throwing arm, acts as a counterbalance to the actions of the rest of the body, whereas the shot must remain close to the neck, at the center of rotation, and offers little help in balancing the athlete; and (3) the glide and other techniques are relatively simple in their basic form, while the spin has more movements and shifts from differing support positions, thus requiring more balance and body control. However, the major advantage that the spin offers the thrower is far greater ability to produce speed traveling into the power position, both in the body itself in rotary movement and in the shot itself. If this speed can be controlled and channeled into the delivery, the potential for greater distance is obvious.
As coaches and athletes we recognize that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. That is undoubtedly the reason we see differences in the movement patterns of different throwers. Despite idiosyncratic differences, however, the movements are basically the same: a 540-degree spin through a 7-foot (2.135- meter) circle to deliver the shot with maximum speed at a desired release trajectory and height. Successful world-class spinners range from 6 feet 8 inches tall (2 meters) to well under 6 feet (1.8 meters), and their technique variations relate, at least to some degree, to their size differentials. Since both the shot and the thrower travel so much farther using the spin technique than any other shot put technique, proper summation of forces and balance throughout the movement are crucial to the success of the movement. The more variations of movement that exist within a technique, the greater the possibility of variations within those movements. In other words, while learning or developing a spin technique for the shot put, it is important to keep the movement as simple as possible, since even the most basic technique is fairly complicated.
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