The American grip: For this grip, you have to place your thumb and the first two joints of your index finger behind the cord. Think of it like wrapping your hand around the pole normally, except that your index finger is extended a bit more in comparison to your other fingers. The Finnish grip: For this grip, you have to place your thumb and the first two joints of your index finger behind the cord, while the index finger supports the shaft of the pole. This is like the American grip, except that the index finger is extended further away, and the middle finger is a bit removed from the ring and pinkie fingers. The “V” grip: For this grip, you should hold the javelin between your index and middle fingers, behind the cord. Think of it like making a peace sign and then placing it below the pole.
Point your elbow slightly forward, while keeping your bicep parallel to the ground. Turn your palm toward the sky, creating a natural platform for the javelin to rest on.
Keep your hips high and run on the balls of your feet. Let your free arm swing across your body. Flex the arm carrying the javelin to fix its position.
Keep your head facing in the direction of your target. Turn so that the left side of your body is facing your target as well.
Keep the right foot close to the ground. Let the right heel touch the ground. As the right foot moves forward, move the left foot up and lean your trunk back at a 115-degree angle. This phase is finished when your right foot is on the ground and your left leg is forward and elevated.
Wait for your left foot to touch the ground. Straighten your torso. Turn your face toward the direction of the throw. The javelin should be parallel to your shoulders. Position your throwing hand above shoulder level.
After the hip thrust, pull back with your left arm keeping it parallel to your right shoulder. This will help to keep your right shoulder and chest moving forward and aligning with your hips. As this is taking place, continue following through with the throwing arm with the elbow leading. Move your throwing shoulder over your left leg. Your hand should follow through (the entire shoulder, elbow, and hand should move through similar to a bullwhip acting as one with each section following one after the other. Lift your left leg and move your throwing arm, with the elbow placed high and close to the mid line. The javelin release angle should account for aerodynamic lift and drag. Experts recommend 33 degrees as the optimum angle. When your arm reaches the top of its arc, let go of the javelin. Your arm should be over your head, in front of you, and not behind your back, when you release the javelin.
You should end up standing on your right foot, with your left leg up behind you. Your right shoulder will turn left, with your chest facing to the left. People who throw the javelin on a professional level sometimes even fall forward due to the extreme momentum they build up from throwing the javelin and following through.
Remember that it’s not the strongest or biggest people on the field who can throw the javelin the farthest. It’s the people with the best technique. That said, building up your strength can only help you.
