What is Shot Put? What is its history and rules?

The shot put is among the four traditional throwing competitions that are part of track & field. The sport has multiple tiers, and the weights used in men’s and women’s events are usually different. Tossing the metal ball as far as possible is always the goal, though. In this article, we will take a look at what shot put is, its history and its rules.

What is shot put?

In the track and field event known as shot put, the competitor who can throw a metal ball the farthest wins. “The put” is the throw that is used to propel the metal ball across the field, and “the shot” is the name of the metal ball. The weights of the shot vary based on the level at which it is played.

Shot Put: History

The origins of shot put as we know it now date back to the 1800s in Scotland. It was one of the Highland Games’ various sports, in which competitors had to toss a metal weight behind a line. Similar to the shot put, there are also reports of Ancient Greeks tossing stones for sport. According to certain documents, warriors would compete by tossing cannonballs throughout the Middle Ages, which is when shot put first emerged. The British Amateur Championships, which were established in 1866, included the first shot put contests that were officially documented as taking place in Scotland. 

One of the sports played at the first Olympics in 1896 was the men’s shot put. More than 50 years later, in 1948, women’s shot put was added to the Olympic programme for the London Summer Games. Today, World Athletics, the former IAAF, is in charge of shot put worldwide.

Shot Put playing surface

A grass and dirt field, often located inside a running track where other track and field competitions take place, is the venue for the shot put. The shot put field is made up of a throwing lane with lines marking it and a circle where the athlete stands to make the throw.

The athlete stands in the shot put circle and attempts to make the throw. Its diameter is 2.135 metres (7 feet), and two lines that are 75 centimetres long extend from it. For the length of their attempt, athletes must stay in the circle. The stop board, which is between 1.21 and 1.22 metres long and which a shot put competitor must stay behind and not touch when making their attempt, marks the end of the circle.

The shot put sector is the last section of the shot put playing surface. The two lines that make up the sector are 20 metres long and radiate outward at a 34.92-degree angle. Three arched lines with respective lengths of six, nine, and twelve metres join these two lines. The distance covered by the shot put throw is measured by these lines.

Shot Put equipment

The only equipment needed for shot put is comfortable clothing and the metal ball known as “the shot.” Shot puts are usually available in two weight options: 8.8 lbs for women’s shot puts and 16 lbs for men’s shot puts. They can be constructed of vinyl, iron, steel, or brass. To indicate the spot where an athlete’s shot lands after being thrown, metal markers are driven into the ground.

Shot Put: Rules

Every participant will throw at the time that they have set for themselves. A competitor will have precisely one minute from the moment their name is called to finish their shot. The participant’s shot must start between their neck and shoulder and stay there until it is released in order for the shot to be counted and performed in proper form. The person releasing the shot with one hand must ensure that it is released no lower than shoulder height. Additionally, the shot must land at least 34.92 feet distant, inside the permitted range. 

The exterior of the stop board cannot be reached during throwing since neither the top nor the outside of the circle can be passed. Finally, the athlete needs to escape the circle by using the back exit area after completing their throw.

The Shot

A highly particular piece of equipment is thrown in shot put. We refer to this as the shot. A ball of heavy metal is the shot. It can be constructed of many various metals, but it is usually composed of lead with an outer shell made of steel. Additionally, the weight of it can vary from 8 to 16 pounds, depending on the thrower. A typical competition shot weighs 8.8 pounds for women and 16 pounds for men, about twice as much.

Scoring in the shot put

Shot put is a team sport where the score is determined by distance. This implies that the athlete’s ranking and point total will depend on how far they can throw the shot. To be more precise, this distance is the length measured from the centre of the circle to the first mark the shot made in the ground. Since this distance is measured in centimetres both in accordance with national regulations and during competition, the recorded distance must be rounded to the closest whole centimetre in order to standardise points. 

Shot putters are often allowed six tries in competition, with the highest three going towards their score.

Fouls in the shot put

Athletes competing in the shot put must stay away from a few fouls. The shot will not be tallied if a foul has been committed. For any of the following reasons, a foul may be called:

• Just before it is released, the shot slides.
• Before releasing the shot, the athlete does not halt. This implies that they have to stop and set up after inside the circle in order to release the shot.
• An athlete does not finish their throw in the allotted sixty seconds.
• The release of a player’s shot must occur below shoulder height, producing a pushing or “putting” motion as opposed to a throwing motion.
• An athlete touches the top of the iron ring or moves outside the circle.
• The shot must be released and land completely inside the assigned throwing sector.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shot put stands as one of the foundational disciplines within track and field, requiring both strength and technique for success. Originating from the Highland Games in Scotland during the 1800s, shot put has evolved into a globally recognized sport, featuring prominently in events such as the Olympics. Its history is intertwined with various cultures, with echoes of Ancient Greek and medieval competitions involving similar feats of strength. Over time, shot put has seen advancements in equipment and regulations, with distinct rules governing the technique, playing surface, and scoring. The sport’s inclusivity is evident, with both men’s and women’s events enjoying participation at all levels, from local meets to international championships.

Furthermore, shot put’s scoring system emphasizes distance, with athletes striving to propel the metal ball as far as possible within the designated sector. However, success is not merely measured by strength alone; adherence to strict rules regarding fouls ensures fair competition and upholds the integrity of the sport. Whether competing on grass and dirt fields or within state-of-the-art facilities, shot put athletes continue to push the boundaries of human performance, embodying the spirit of athleticism and dedication. As shot put remains a cornerstone of track and field, its legacy endures, inspiring generations of athletes to test their limits and reach for new heights in pursuit of excellence.