What is a javelin throw? What is its history and rules?
Do you know what is a javelin throw? Read the below article to find out more about the sport and its rich history.

In the track and field event known as the javelin, competitors run while hurling a weighted javelin, sometimes referred to as a spear, a certain distance. This sport has a long history and has frequently been included in the Olympic Games. In the below article, we will take a look at what is a javelin throw, is its history and its rules.
Basics of javelin throw
The javelin throwing sport dates back to 700 BC and was a feature of the ancient Olympic Games. These days, this is a sport that competes in a number of international athletics championships in both the men’s and women’s heptathlons.
The javelin grip must be used to toss the weapon overhand, from one. During his turn, the athlete is not allowed to cross the foul line, also known as the scratch line. The javelin must land at the other end of the playing runway in a 29-degree “sector,” tip first. This is how the performance of the athlete is assessed. There are rounds in the tournaments, and each competitor makes an effort in that particular round. The athletes get one more throw if there is a tie.
Athletes competing in javelin wear their track and field outfit, which comprises of shorts and a matching top. These athletes need to be incredibly strong in both their arms and legs since the run-up to the throw is crucial. This is a physically demanding sport that blends strength and speed. Throwing repeatedly is an excellent method of developing arm strength.
What is a javelin?
The spear-like object used in javelin throws that is thrown a long distance is called a javelin. The javelin’s minimum dimensions for the men’s competition are 260 cm and 800 g. The javelin’s minimum length and weight requirements for the women’s competition are 220 cm and 600g, respectively. The javelin consists of three primary parts: the head, the shaft, and the cord.
Shaft: The head and grip of the javelin are linked to the shaft, which serves as its main structural component. It can be solid or hollow and is usually composed of metal or wood. Its entire surface must be smooth and level, devoid of any ridges or grooves, and it must taper to a point on both ends.
Head: The javelin head is a sharp metal tip that ranges in length from 250 to 330 mm and is fixed to the top of the javelin shaft. Any attempt to throw the javelin that does not land on the tip head-first will be ruled a foul throw. This is to make sure the athlete is actually throwing the javelin with good technique and not just flinging it.
Cord: The smooth, non-slip surface that is placed over the javelin’s centre of gravity and is grasped by the athlete is called the cord or grip.
Different grips of holding javelin
The javelin cord can be held in three different ways:
- The American Grip: The thumb and index finger are used to hold the rope.
- The Finnish Grip: The thumb and middle finger are used to hold the rope.
- The “V”/ Fork Grip: The middle and index fingers are used to hold the cord.
You have to hold the javelin in one of the three aforementioned styles. There is no alternative way that may be used, and if one is, the throw will be ruled void.
History of javelin throw
The javelin’s origins were as a tool for gathering food rather than as a sport. The javelin throw originated from the spears that prehistoric hunters threw at their prey in an attempt to kill or maim them. In ancient battles, spears were also employed, and troops who could throw them farther and harder had an edge.
Spear-throwing gained enormous popularity in ancient Greece as a sport and competitive sport. The javelin was originally used in a pentathlon at the 708 B.C. Ancient Greek Olympiad and it was a popular sport for a long time after that.
The popularity of javelin declined slightly after antiquity, and until the 19th century, there was hardly any documented competition in the sport. Throwing javelin was one of the events in Shropshire, England, in 1840, which is when the first modern pentathlon was officially documented. The javelin saw a resurgence in prominence as pentathlons and related events became more embedded in the athletic culture.
Track and field competitions using the javelin throw had spread throughout Europe and the US by the 1880s. Athletes from all across the world were practising javelin by the turn of the century. The javelin made its debut in the Olympic Games in 1908. The competition was also a part of the 1932 Olympic Games, the second time that women had the opportunity to compete. By this time, javelins were composed of wood and had a steel tip that encouraged a downward trajectory to land the spear firmly in the earth.
Modern javelin
American javelin thrower Bud Held and his brother Dick created a new, hollow, more aerodynamic steel javelin in 1950. With less weight in the front, these new designs flew much farther but more often landed flat, which made it difficult to measure distances accurately and also posed a safety issue because javelins would bounce and fly off the ground.
An answer to this issue was developed in 1986. The centre of gravity of a newly created javelin was moved closer to the front of the spear, which resulted in throws landing at a steeper angle and sticking in the ground. A pleasant side effect of this modification was a ten per cent decrease in throw distance, which was helpful because the world’s finest javelin throwers were occasionally almost completely beyond the landing zone.
Equipped with the enhanced javelins, the competitors resumed their competition. Since the new javelin is more difficult to throw than the old design, only records set with it are considered when examining world records. Like in the 19th century, Europeans make up a large portion of the world’s best throwers today.
Rules of Javelin Throw
Javelin throwers have to abide by a variety of rules when competing, the primary ones pertaining to the following elements of the event:
Number of attempts
Each contestant gets three chances to toss the javelin onto the landing sector from as far out as they can on the runway. The officials will record each competitor’s fair throw, but they will only utilise the throw with the furthest distance to decide the athlete’s place in the competition. A contestant will be eliminated after three consecutive missed attempts or foul throws.
Time Limit
The contestant usually has one minute to set up his wind up for the throw for each attempt. An event official will activate the sizable timing device at the side of the runway, around halfway from the takeoff board, to signal the commencement of a long jump attempt. A competitor’s effort will be ruled a foul throw if he does not start it inside the allotted minute.
Start Point
The javelin throw does not have a designated starting line, in contrast to the track and field foot racing events. Rather, competitors are allowed to start their approach run wherever within the runway’s perimeter. A competitor’s attempt will be considered invalid if they tread on or over the runway’s boundary lines.
Start Position
The javelin should be thrown with the athlete’s hand at head height over the throwing shoulder in the ideal starting position. The javelin’s shaft ought to be facing straight forward in the direction of the landing sector, and the whole javelin needs to be perfectly horizontal with no slope. Additionally, the throwing elbow needs to be aimed forward and kept at shoulder height.
The javelin must always be kept above the athlete’s shoulders for the duration of the attempt, and only one hand may be used in each of the three methods to grab the cord. An attempt will be deemed invalid if the javelin falls below shoulder level or if it is not held at the cord with one hand only.
Check Marks
Up to two checkmarks may be placed alongside the runway by rivals. These will be outside the lines and will aid the athlete in throwing the discus successfully. A tick mark is a tiny marker used in approach runs as a milestone or guide.
Distance Measured
From the centre of the scratch line to the location on the landing sector where the javelin’s head touched down, the javelin’s distance travelled is measured in a straight line.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the javelin throw is a sport with a rich history that dates back to 700 BC. It has evolved over time, with changes in equipment and rules to ensure safety and fairness. The javelin itself has seen significant modifications, from its origins as a tool for hunting to the modern, aerodynamic designs used today. Athletes must adhere to strict rules regarding their throws, including the number of attempts, time limits, and starting positions. Despite these challenges, the javelin throw remains a popular and exciting event in track and field competitions. It requires a unique combination of strength, speed, and technique, making it a physically demanding but rewarding sport for those who participate.