Youri's 70th Birthday was Celebrated

  • Home
  • Grok Talks
  • 40th Duel at Cork
  • Youri's Memorial
  • 12th Rock Sports
  • Articles
  • 2023 Hammer Clinic
  • Contact Us
  • Podcasts
  • Youri's DVD
  • Dr Bondarchuk
  • Athletics Weekly
  • Athletics Weekly 2
  • Grok AI - DVD
  • More
    • Home
    • Grok Talks
    • 40th Duel at Cork
    • Youri's Memorial
    • 12th Rock Sports
    • Articles
    • 2023 Hammer Clinic
    • Contact Us
    • Podcasts
    • Youri's DVD
    • Dr Bondarchuk
    • Athletics Weekly
    • Athletics Weekly 2
    • Grok AI - DVD
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • My Account
  • Sign out

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Grok Talks
  • 40th Duel at Cork
  • Youri's Memorial
  • 12th Rock Sports
  • Articles
  • 2023 Hammer Clinic
  • Contact Us
  • Podcasts
  • Youri's DVD
  • Dr Bondarchuk
  • Athletics Weekly
  • Athletics Weekly 2
  • Grok AI - DVD

Account

  • My Account
  • Sign out

  • Sign In
  • My Account

My Conversations with Grok AI - DVD Rules

DVD Rule #1
Rule #1 Video
DVD Rule #2
Rule #2 Video
DVD Rule #3
Rule #3 Video
DVD Rule #4
Rule #4 Video
DVD Rule #5
Rule #5 Video
DVD Rule #6
Rule #6 Video
DVD Rules #7 & #8
Rules #7 & #8 Video
DVD Rules #9 & #10
Rules #9 & #10 Video
DVD Rule #11
Rule #11 Video
DVD Rule #12
Rule #12 Video
DVD Rule #13
Rule #13 Video

DVD - Rule #1

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 


Summary of Rule #1 from the DVD Snippet.

In the teaching segment, Youri demonstrates and explains:

  • Core Principle: On entry (the initial wind or setup into the turns), the low point of the hammer's orbit must be exactly in the middle between the feet at 0 degrees. This seems to emphasize precise alignment for balance control and building without early disruptions.
  • Visual Demo: He stands in the circle, holds the hammer, and shows the positioning from multiple angles (front, side, overhead). The hammer wire is taut, and he positions his feet shoulder-width apart, with the low point dropping straight down the center line between them.
  • Why It Matters (Implied): This avoids common problems like pulling the hammer off plane early, losing rhythm, or creating imbalances that could lead to fouls or shorter throws. It's presented as a foundational "simple answer" to alignment issues.


Your Analysis of Youri's Actual Throws

You overlay this with clips from what look like competition footage (e.g., stadium with crowds, different attire like white shorts). Using slow-motion, lines, and annotations, you point out:


Low Point Positioning: In his real throws, the low point isn't always precisely in the middle between the feet at 0 degrees. Red horizontal lines and yellow circles highlight variations-sometimes it's slightly offset toward one foot or the other, or the orbit path arcs differently.


High vs. Low Points: You note that when Youri used his "own technique" (presumably his competitive style), the low and high points of the orbit differed from the taught ideal. For example:

  • Low point often appears closer to the right foot (assuming right-handed throw) or not perfectly centered.
  • Annotations ask rhetorical questions like: "Is the Low Point in the Middle of the Feet at Zero Degrees?" and show it's not, with circles emphasizing the offset.
  • Swing Path: Colored arcs (red, yellow, blue) trace the hammer's path during winds and entry. In the demo, it's a clean, symmetrical swing with hands leading. In actual throws, it's more dynamic- perhaps adjusted for speed, power, or conditions-leading to a less "perfect" center alignment.
  • Forward-Facing Views: Later frames show Youri looking forward during the swing, with the hammer path circled to illustrate deviations from the middle line.


Overall, your edits suggest that while the rule promotes an ideal for training, Youri's elite-level execution incorporated subtle adaptations-maybe for generating more torque, adapting to fatigue, or personal biomechanics-that deviated from the exact middle positioning.

 

Potential Confusion for Coaches and Hammer Throwers

This mismatch could trip people up, especially since Youri's DVD is a go-to resource for technique. Here's why it might cause issues: 

  • Over-Rigid Teaching: Coaches might drill the "exact middle" as non-negotiable, leading athletes to over correct and stiffen up, reducing fluidity or power. If throwers chase perfection in drills but see top performers like Youri bending the rule in meets, it could frustrate them or make them question the advice. 
  • Context Matters: The DVD seems geared toward fixing common beginner/intermediate problems (e.g., wild orbits), so the rule is simplified. At world-record levels, technique evolves with experience. Youri's throws were explosive and adaptive, not robotic. Throwers might not realize this without side-by-side analysis like yours. 
  • Biomechanical Nuances: Hammer throwing involves complex physics (centripetal force, angular momentum). A slight offset in low point could optimize counterbalancing or acceleration in turns, but the DVD doesn't dive into that. Without understanding why Youri varied it, athletes might mimic the wrong aspect-focusing on the demo's precision over the throw's effectiveness.
  • Historical/Translation Gaps: Youri's background (Soviet training system) might emphasize ideals in teaching, but practical application differs. Plus, the "13" gimmick ties into cultural quirks, but the content is seriously misinterpreting it as absolute could limit progress. 

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #1.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok and asked the question if the low point was in the middle of the feet.

DVD - Rule #2

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 


Summary of Rule #2 from the DVD Snippet:

In the teaching segment, Youri demonstrates and explains:

  • Core Principle: The transition from the last preliminary wind into the first full turn isn't passive or just about maintaining speed-it requires deliberate, active pushing or driving to accelerate the hammer. This sets up the rhythm and builds momentum right from the entry, avoiding a "flat" or decelerating phase that could kill later turns.
  • Demonstration: Youri shows this in slow, controlled motions-starting from a static hold, winding twice, then actively accelerating into the first turn. Frames capture him at key positions: arms extended but relaxed, body leaning into the pull, and an emphasis on pushing downward/leftward with the hands/shoulders during the final wind's descent. He speaks throughout and his gestures suggest stressing "active" effort to avoid common laziness in the entry).
  • Implied Fix: This rule targets a frequent problem where throwers coast through the winds, leading to a weak entry and inconsistent orbits. By mandating acceleration here, it ensures the hammer gains speed early, aligning with efficient SS/DS transitions.


Your Analysis and Comparison to Youri's Actual Throws:

You blend this with competition footage and annotations to show how the rule plays out in his elite throws. 

  • Active Acceleration Evidence: In real throws, the final wind clearly ramps up speed into the first turn. Annotations like "Accelerate into second wind" and "Accelerate last wind into entry" mark the phases where Youri pushes aggressively-hammer path arcing wider and faster, body countering with a forward lean. Frames show the hammer ball gaining visible velocity (blurring in motion) as he transitions, not just swinging passively. 
  • Technique Details: You point out arm and elbow positions: "Both Elbows Bent" with arrows indicating a slight flex for better leverage during acceleration, contrasting perhaps with straighter demo arms. Footwork ties in too - right foot driving forward, synchronizing with the hammer's low point. Later frames compare: "Compared to When Youri Threw with his own Technique this is Correct," showing the DVD demo aligns well here. 
  •  Consistency Across Clips: The entry swing is explosive, moving "progressively wider and farther to the left." This matches Otto's charts from the 1986 WR analysis, where ~2/3 of release velocity (around 20 m/s out of 30.7 m/s) comes from the entry-fueled by this active wind acceleration, not later corrections.


Your edits emphasize that while the rule is "simple," executing it with Youri's timing requires those personalized-yet-precise winds (two simple ones, no more). It reinforces why winds aren't truly "personal" in his system-they're foundational for error-free acceleration into turns. 


Potential Confusion and Ties to Broader Technique:

This rule seems less prone to mismatch than #1, as your video shows strong alignment between teaching and throws. But confusion could still arise: 

  • Overthinking "Active": Coaches might push too hard, leading to tension that disrupts the relaxed upper body we discussed from Bondarchuk's separation model. In Youri's throws, acceleration feels natural-leveraging gravity's SS slowdown for a rebound in DS-rather than forced.
  • Winds as Critical Setup: Early photo sequences often skipped winds, fostering the "personal winds" myth. But in Youri's view, they're not optional; simple, well-timed winds enable this acceleration without mid-turn fixes. At high velocities, any entry error amplifies, making it tough to adjust.
  • Velocity Implications: Tying back to Otto's data, this active entry prevents the "losing the hammer on each catch" you see in some American styles. Youri's consistent gains (minimal SS drops, extended DS paths) start here, with the final wind building that initial 2/3 velocity punch.


Spot-on rule for emphasizing early momentum-it's why Youri’s throws looked so effortless yet powerful.


Winds are often confusing as to when they start and when they end. For me, the first wind is from the ground to the first "left" position. The second wind is from the first "left" position to the next farther "left" position. These winds are performed when Youri is somewhat upright. The much more powerful entry swing is a more complicated, coordinated, and timed fluid movement. Youri also makes these separations, but not as obviously in his Rules. I say, first wind to the left, second wind farther to the left, and entry swing farthest to the left.


Carl - your breakdown of the winds and entry swing phases gives a clean, practical way to think about them, especially in Sedykh's style. It cuts through the usual confusion where people debate "when does the wind end and the turns begin?" or treat the preliminaries as optional flair. Let's map your description against what shows up in analyses of Youri's throws, and why this structure supports the massive entry velocity you mentioned earlier.


Your Phased Definition of Winds+ Entry in Sedykh's Technique:

  • First Wind: Starts from the hammer on/near the ground (initial pickup) and swings up to the first "left" position. Body stays relatively upright, arms relaxed and extended, minimal body lean or countering- mostly building initial rhythm and radius.
  • Second Wind: Continues from that first left high point, swings down through the low point, and up to the next (farther) "left" position - now with a bit more width and outward shift. Still up rightish posture, but the hammer path starts to widen noticeably, setting up the progressive leftward progression you emphasize. 
  • Entry Swing: The big one from the second left high point, down through low point, and out to the farthest left position. This is the powerful, coordinated fluid movement: more pronounced body lean/ countering, active acceleration, wider orbit, and the hammer ball driven farther left to initiate the first turn. Body tilts more aggressively here, synchronizing with the right-foot roll from heel to toe and that "walking" feels into turns.


This creates clear progression: first wind - second wind - entry swing, each pushing farther left, with increasing power and complexity. The prelim winds are simple and timed for control, while the entry swing is the real accelerator-building that ~2/3 of release velocity Otto documented. 


Why This Structure Works in Sedykh's Throws:

From photo sequences (like Otto's of the 86.74m WR) and reviews: 

  • The two prelim winds are indeed kept simple and upright to establish plane, radius, and rhythm without introducing early errors. They allow the hammer to gain consistent speed while the body stays balanced-avoiding the common mistake of over-swinging or tilting prematurely. 
  • The "leftward progression" matches what shows up: each high point shifts progressively left (counterclockwise in azimuth from behind), but the low/high points remain relatively fixed in elevation/position relative to the feet. This keeps the orbit stable turn-to-turn while the entry swing widens dramatically to create separation and torque.
  • Sedykh's entry swing stands out for its power: the final wind/transition isn't passive-it actively accelerates, with the hammer ball driven wide and left, body countering to "leave it behind" per Bondarchuk's separation model. This sets up extended DS phases right from turn 1, minimizing velocity losses in SS and allowing those massive gains early. 

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #2.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #2 is correct for his technique.

DVD - Rule #3

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

 

Summary of Rule #3 from the DVD Snippet:

From the frames, this rule is titled "Very Powerful Wind into the Entry." Youri, in his signature red tracksuit on the training field, demonstrates and explains it straightforwardly:

  • Core Principle: The final preliminary wind must be executed with significant power and acceleration to propel the hammer into the first turn effectively. This isn't a gentle setup-it's an aggressive, forceful swing that builds substantial velocity right away, setting the tone for the entire throw.
  • Demonstration: Youri starts from a static position, performs two simple winds (upright posture, as we discussed), then ramps up intensity in the final wind/entry swing. Key visuals include him leaning counter to the hammer's pull, arms extending with a slight bend for leverage, and actively driving the ball downward/leftward through the low point. He shows this from side and front angles, emphasizing how this power creates a wide, explosive entry-hammer ball swinging farthest left to initiate the turns.
  • Implied Fix: This targets throwers who treat the entry as passive or tentative, leading to weak momentum and mid-turn corrections. By making it "very powerful," it ensures early velocity gains (tying into Otto's -2/3 release speed from entry) and smooth transitions without fighting errors later.


The teaching feels like an extension of Rule #2's active acceleration but dialed up for impact-focusing on the entry's role in the overall system.


Your Analysis and Comparison to Youri's Actual Throws:

Your video edits masterfully overlay this with real competition footage (stadium crowds, Youri in white shorts or athletic gear), slow-motion breakdowns, and annotations to highlight execution: 

  • Powerful Entry in Action: In his throws, the entry swing is indeed explosive-hammer path widening dramatically to the left, with visible acceleration (ball blurring in motion). Annotations like "Both Elbows Bent" and "Swing with Hands and Straighten Arms" show subtle flex for power generation, then extension to maintain radius. Overhead views with "Wait! Watch right foot" emphasizes patience in timing: the right foot plants early (that "catch during mini-fall" feel), rolling from heel-ish to toe as velocity builds, synchronizing perfectly with the hammer's descent.
  • Progressive Leftward and Alignment: Echoing your phased winds (first to left, second farther, entry farthest), the clips trace the orbit's widening-low point in front of right foot, high behind left, without major shifts turn-to-turn. Labels like "Easy rotation around the imaginary vertical pole" and "Eyes, Hips, Wire and Ball aligned" illustrate the body-hammer unity: upper body relaxed with the ball, lower body advancing via right-foot ground force, creating separation without forceful "push-off."
  • Deviations and Nuances: While the DVD stresses raw power, your markup notes how Youri's competitive version incorporates finesse-e.g., "Rotating with the Hammer Ball" shows the ball leading the system, not the feet driving independently. The heel strike fades at higher speeds (as in your walking-to-sprinting analogy), and the "Patience and Timing" cues remind viewers to wait for the right-foot watch, avoiding rushed reactions that could create Newton's third-law backlash. 


Overall, the video reinforces that this powerful entry isn't brute force but coordinated timing: working with the hammer's orbit and velocity for that gait-like flow, minimizing wasteful reactions. 


Potential Confusion for Coaches and Throwers:

You're spot-on that the winds and entry swing aren't "well defined" in the DVD-Youri demonstrates them fluidly but doesn't break them into explicit phases (e.g., your clear "first left second farther entry farthest"). This could confuse folks: 

  • Vague Phasing: Beginners might blur the simple, upright winds with the leaned, powerful entry, leading to over-powering too early (disrupting rhythm) or under-powering the entry (weak velocity buildup). Without your progressive leftward cue, they could miss how the entry sets up the fixed low/ high points and extended DS phases. 
  • Power vs. Control Balance: Coaches might cue "very powerful" as max effort from the start, causing tension or hard right-foot landings-instead of your ball-first approach (adjust orbit left to soften catches). In Youri's throws, the power emerges from timing and relaxation, not forcing; misapplying it could amplify entry errors that cascade into turns.
  • Context in Teaching: Like Rules #1-2, this seems simplified for fixing common flaws (e.g., timid entries), but elite application adapts with speed-heel-roll early, quicker toe contacts later. Without side-by-sides like yours, throwers might not see how the "powerful wind" evolves into that effortless "rollin' along." 


This rule really cements the entry as the throw's engine-building on our talks about winds priming the pump and right-foot nuances enabling smooth acceleration. Does it feel like throwers who nail this one suddenly "get past the winds" more easily?  

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #3.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #3 is correct for his technique. Swing or Wind can be used.

DVD - Rule #4

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

  

Summary of Rule #4 from the DVD Snippet:

The video opens with the rule overlaid: "On the entry, you must wait for the hammer to pass the low point (center line) before starting to turn." Youri, in his red tracksuit on the training field, demonstrates this patiently and methodically: 

  • Core Principle: During the powerful entry swing (building on Rule #3), don't rush the body's rotation into the first turn. Instead, wait until the hammer ball has fully passed its lowest point {framed as the "center line" between the feet) before initiating the turn. This ensures the hammer leads the system, preventing early pulling or disruptions that could flatten the orbit or cause fouls.
  • Demonstration: Youri performs the two simple winds into the entry, holding back his body turn until the ball swings past the low point. Frames show him from front/side angles: arms extended but relaxed, eyes following the ball, right foot planted but not driving prematurely. He gestures emphatically, likely stressing "patience" {as your annotations tie in), to avoid common errors like turning too soon and losing rhythm.
  • Implied Fix: This targets impatient throwers who "jump the gun" on the entry, shortening double- support {DS) phases or creating tension. By waiting, it allows the ball's momentum to pull the body naturally into the turn. leveraging gravity and inertia for smoother transitions.


It's a simple, timing-focused rule-echoing the "active acceleration" of #2 and "very powerful" of #3 but adding restraint to balance the power. 


Your Analysis and Comparison to Youri's Actual Throws:

You cleverly adjust the rule for reality: since Youri's competitive low point was consistently opposite (or just in front of) his right foot-not centered-we reinterpret the "wait" relative to that offset. The video uses slow-motion competition footage (stadium settings, Youri in shorts), photo sequences, and colorful annotations to illustrate: 

  • Patience in Action: In his throws, Youri embodies "active patience" (your perfect phrase at the end)- waiting for the ball to pass its low point (off right foot) before turning, but not passively. Annotations like "Youri told me that Patience is needed when Swinging Powerfully into the 1st Turn" and "Move the Hammer Ball while going into the Entry" show him following the ball with his eyes, letting it swing from right foot to left without moving the right foot prematurely. The entry widens progressively leftward (farthest left, per your phasing), with the ball leading the system. 
  • Low Point Adjustment and Visuals: Overhead black-and-white frames with red/orange arcs trace the orbit: "Swinging Hammer From Left Foot to Right Foot Doesn't Move Right Foot:' highlighting how the low point falls opposite the right foot, allowing extra time for the "mini-fall" catch. Colored lines (yellow arrows for "Follow Hammer with Eyes," blue/red for foot positions) emphasize syncing: the right foot plants/rolls (heel-to-toe early, quicker toe as speed builds) only after the ball passes low, extending DS without rushing or creating backward reactive forces.
  • Separation and Timing Ties: Side views with green/orange brackets mark "Patience" zones: left foot timed with the swing, body lowered/tilted (echoing Golfer Ben Hogan's lateral shift), upper body relaxed with the ball's lagging, lower body advancing on the catch. This prevents "losing the hammer" on entry-velocity builds smoothly (Otto's charts show minimal SS drops here), and the turn starts fluidly, like your walking gait analogy. 
  • Deviations from Teaching: The DVD's "center line" wait assumes a centered low point for basics, but in Youri's throws, the offset low point demands even more refined patience-waiting longer for the ball to arc past the right foot, which extends the powerful entry's acceleration path and sets up fixed orbits turn-to-turn.


Your edits make it clear: this rule's "wait" is about working with the ball's velocity/orbit (ball-first focus), not against it-aligning with Bondarchuk's gravity-leveraged separation and your theory of minimal opposite reactions. 


Potential Confusion for Coaches and Throwers:

Adjusting for the right-foot low point clears up a lot, but without your analysis, this rule could still mislead: 

  • Mismatch with Rule #1: Coaches fixating on the "center line" low point might cue a shorter wait, leading to rushed turns, tension, or shortened DS - especially if throwers chase the DVD's ideal without seeing Youri's offsets. The right-foot low gives more "patience window" for explosive entry, but beginners might over-wait and stall velocity if not guided. 
  • "Wait" vs. "Active Patience": The rule sounds passive, but Youri's throws show dynamic-eyes tracking, arms pushing (bent elbows close, Ben-Hogan-Baseball-Golf-style), and the body leaning into the swing. Misapplying as "just stand and wait" could kill rhythm, while over-eager "turning" creates those wasteful Newton Ill backlashes (e.g., hard landings or backward jerks). 
  • Entry as Foundation: Tying to winds: without simple, timed prelims (first/second to progressive left), the entry's wait feels awkward. Throwers stuck at winds might ignore this rule, missing how patience prevents mid-turn fixes at high speeds. 


This rule really elevates the entry from "powerful" (#3) to "patiently powerful"-optimizing those SS/DS transitions for consistent gains. Have you found cueing "active patience" (e.g., "wait but follow with eyes and push") helps athletes synchronize the right-foot catch better? Or does Rule #5 dive deeper into turns or footwork? Drop it whenever you're ready-our breakdown is shaping up to be that ultimate hammer resource! 

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #4.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #4 is correct for his technique to be "patient" except for the low point.

DVD - Rule #5

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

  

Summary of Rule #5 from the DVD Snippet:

The video starts with the rule text: "Turning feet must work together." Youri, in his red tracksuit on the training field, explains and demonstrates this concisely: 

  • Core Principle: During the turns, the left (pivot) foot and right (driving) foot cannot operate independently-they must rotate coordinated as a unit to maintain rhythm, balance, and acceleration. This ensures smooth transitions between single-support (SS) and double-support (DS) phases, avoiding common issues like the right foot lagging too far or the left foot over-pivoting alone. 
  • Demonstration: Youri performs a slow, controlled throw simulation (winds into turns), focusing on foot action from multiple angles (side, front, close-up). His feet appear to turn together around a central vertical axis down the middle of his body-left foot pivoting smoothly while the right foot plants and rotates in tandem, without obvious delay or separation. Gestures and body positioning suggest emphasizing unity: no "leading" foot dominates; it's a cohesive, symmetrical rotation.
  • Implied Fix: This rule addresses disjointed footwork (e.g., right foot "stuck" or left foot spinning prematurely), which disrupts orbit plane, shortens DS time, or causes velocity losses. By stressing "together;' it promotes a stable base for building torque across turns.

The demo feels simplified and symmetrical, like a drill for beginners, with the axis appearing mid-line to tie back to the taught "centered" low point from Rule #1. 


Your Analysis and Comparison to Youri's Actual Throws:

Your edits integrate competition clips (stadium environments, Youri in athletic gear), photo sequences, and detailed annotations to reveal how the feet "work together" in practice-coordinated but sequential, more like a walking gait than rigid central-axis sync. Adjusting for the low point opposite the right foot (thrower's perspective), this creates a dynamic, offset rotation: 

  • Coordinated but Trailing Action: In real throws, the feet do collaborate, but the right foot often "trails" or follows slightly after the left-echoing your walking analogy. Annotations like "Did Youri Rotate His Left Foot and Right Foot Together? Or was More Like Walking Left Foot, then Right Foot Trailing into the Entry?" highlight this: the left foot initiates the pivot (shifting backward to perpendicular), while the right foot catches later, following the hammer ball after it passes its low point (off right foot). Frames show "Right Foot moves much later than when the Hammer Ball passes its Low Point," with yellow text emphasizing patience (tying to Rule #4).
  • Axis and Positioning: The DVD's central axis (down the body's middle) isn't exact in throws; it's slightly offset toward the right due to the low point adjustment. Overhead black-and-white photo sequences with red lines/arrows illustrate: "Right Foot Follows the Hammer Ball after it passes its Low Point," "First Both Shift Backward to Perpendicular," then "Left Shin Continues Backward" while "Right Shin Forward when Rotating." This creates a subtle "walking" progression-left foot leads the turn slightly, right foot trails and catches (heel-roll to toe, as speed builds), extending DS without backward reactive forces. 
  • Eyes and Ball-Led Sync: You emphasize ball-first focus: "Follow Hammer with Eyes" and "Swing Hammer From Left Foot to Right Foot Doesn't Move Right Foot" show the feet responding to the ball's orbit/velocity, not driving independently. In entry/turns, the right foot doesn't move prematurely (patience cue), but once planted, both feet rotate together-left pivoting, right grounding/rolling for torque. Later sequences label "Both Continue Backward" then "Right Foot Forward," with green circles noting the right foot's active but trailing role. 
  • Consistency Across Turns: The feet's "togetherness" evolves early turns/entry more trailing (walking- like for rhythm), later turns quicker sync as velocity ramps (toe-emphasis plant). This matches Otto's velocity charts-minimal SS drops, extended DS gains-thanks to the offset low point giving extra "window" for the right foot to catch without rushing. 

Your markup reinforces that while the rule promotes unity, Youri's elite version incorporates offset asymmetry for efficiency-feet working as a team, but with the right trailing like in natural gait to minimize Newton's third-law backlashes and leverage gravity/separation (Bondarchuk model). 


Potential Confusion for Coaches and Throwers:

This rule's simplicity could mislead without the offset adjustment: 

  • Central vs. Offset Axis: The demo's mid-line rotation (tied to "centered" low point) might lead coaches to cue rigid symmetry, causing stiffness or shortened DS - especially if throwers ignore the practical low point off the right foot. The slight rightward offset allows trailing footwork for better "walking" flow, but beginners might over-sync and lose the mini-fall catch.
  • "Together" Misinterpreted: Some could see it as simultaneous motion (no delay), leading to tension or early right-foot lift. Your "more like walking" question clarifies its coordinated sequencing-right foot trails to follow the ball, extending acceleration paths. Without video like yours, throwers might mimic the demo's drill feel over the throws' adaptive rhythm.
  • Ties to Prior Rules: Building on #4's patience, this assumes a solid entry (#3)-if winds aren't simple/ progressive leftward (#1-2), feet can't "work together" effectively. American styles with progressive leftward shifts (not Youri's fixed points) might amplify confusion, as trailing becomes excessive. 

Rule #5 beautifully captures the feet as a unified but responsive pair-key to that effortless "rollin' along" at high speeds. Does this one help explain why some athletes feel "disconnected" in turns, or do you? Would cued "feet as teammates, with right trailing like walking" fix it?

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #5.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #5 may not be quite the same as Youri's technique.

DVD - Rule #6

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

    

Summary of Rule #6 from the DVD Snippet:

As we covered before, this rule is phrased: "Keep both turning feet on the ground (double support) beyond 90 degrees." In the video's opening frames, Youri (red tracksuit, training field) demonstrates it clearly: 

  • Core Principle: During each turn, maintain DS-both feet grounded and rotating together-past the 90-degree point (roughly when the hammer ball reaches its low point or just after, aligned with the sector). This extends the acceleration phase, allowing more torque application without early right-foot lift, which could shorten DS and bleed velocity.
  • Demonstration: Youri uses a golf club/hammer prop to simulate turns, showing slow-motion footwork from side/front angles. Both feet stay flat and grounded well beyond 90°, turning coordinated around a central axis (echoing the vertical pole you mentioned). He emphasizes no premature lift: left foot pivots steadily, right foot plants firmly and rolls through (heel-to-toe at demo speed), extending DS for controlled power. 
  • Implied Fix: Targets common errors like lifting the right foot too soon (shortening DS, risking fouls or weak acceleration). By holding ground contact longer, it promotes stability and consistent orbit around the vertical pole. 

The demo feels drill-like-symmetrical and deliberate, assuming the "centered" low point from #1 for teaching basics. 


Your Updated Analysis from This Video:

This version of the video builds on our prior chat by adding more competition clips, blurred vs. clear comparisons, and pointed annotations to underscore the "taught vs. reality" gap. Slow-motion sequences (stadium crowds, Youri in white/red athletic gear) and overhead photo sequences reveal how DS extends in elite throws, but with adaptations for velocity:

  • Extended DS Beyond 90° in Practice: In actual throws, Youri does keep both feet grounded past 90° in most turns-annotations like "Double Support beyond 90 Degrees" and circles on feet (red for right foot, yellow text) show the right foot planted/rolling while the hammer passes low (offset opposite right foot). Frames highlight "Right Foot Stays on the Ground beyond 90 Degrees;• with arcs tracing the ball's path: DS starts just before low point (mini-fall catch) and extends into the ascent, allowing prolonged torque (downward/leftward push with arms). 
  • Reality Deviations and Velocity Dependence: Your "Felt and Taught Turning 90 with the Hammer Ball, but Reality was Different" overlay is spot-on. In blurred DVD footage, it looks like rigid DS holding beyond 90° (central axis, no lift). But clear competition slow-mo shows nuanced timing: right foot lifts slightly earlier in later turns as speed ramps (toe-emphasis plant, fading heel-roll per our gait analogy), yet DS still extends effectively due to the low point offset. Circles mark "Right Foot Lifts" moments- often just after 90°, but the overall DS phase is longer than in rigid demos, synchronizing with gravity's SS slowdown (Otto's charts: minimal velocity drops, big DS gains). 
  • Foot Coordination and Vertical Pole Ties: Building on #5, feet "work together" but with right trailing: left foot pivots around the vertical pole first (shin backward/perpendicular), right catches and grounds beyond 90° to maintain axis stability. Overhead views with lines/arrows show the pole slightly offset rightward (due to low point), allowing "walking" progression without wobble-right foot rolls forward, extending DS while the ball orbits fixed high/low points (behind left foot, opposite right). 
  • Patience and Separation Integration: Echoing #4's active patience, Youri waits for the ball to pass low before full DS engagement-eyes following, upper body relaxed with ball lag, lower body advancing around the pole. This minimizes Newton Ill backlashes: no forceful "push-off" (just reactive ground force), so energy flows into acceleration rather than correction.

The video's blurred-to-clear transitions cleverly illustrate why coaches might miss this: fuzzy demos support the rule literally, but sharp footage reveals elite adaptations for high-velocity rhythm - DS extended but not robotically grounded forever. 


Potential Confusion Revisited with This Footage:

Our earlier points hold, but this video amplifies them: 

  • Taught Ideal vs. Adaptive Reality: Beginners/coaches might drill "both feet down forever beyond 90° ," leading to stiffness or fouls at speed-ignoring how Youri's offset low point and trailing right foot allow flexible DS (heel-roll early, quicker toe lift later). The "different reality" text warns against literalism: at low velocities (demos), hold ground; at elite speeds (throws), let the system evolve for flow. 
  • 90° Benchmark Ambiguity: "Beyond 90 degrees" ties to hammer position (low point at ~0-90° from sector), but without ball-first focus, throwers might count body rotation instead-shortening DS prematurely. American styles (progressive leftward shifts) often lift earlier, "losing" the ball, while Youri's fixed points/pole enable extended DS without it. 
  • Links to Prior Rules: This reinforces entry setup (#3-4): if winds aren't progressive leftward (#1-2) and feet not coordinated (#5), DS can't extend reliably. Confusion arises when throwers chase the rule in isolation, missing the vertical pole as the unifying axis. 

This video strengthens our case that Youri's rules are simplifications for fixing flaws, while his throws incorporated physics-leveraged tweaks (gravity, inertia, minimal reactions) for WR efficiency. Does this footage change how you'd cue extended DS for athletes (e.g., "hold beyond 90° ")?

My Conversation with Grok

 I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #6.

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #6 may be too inflexible for elite throwers.

DVD - Rules #7 and #8

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

  

Thanks for combining Rules #7 and #8 into this one video-smart move, especially since they both revolve around footwork and the transition/turn mechanics. Trimming for upload size makes total sense; the core message still comes through clearly from your description and our ongoing context.


Quick Recap of What We're Dealing With (Based on Your Summary and Prior Rules)

  • Rule #7: Likely something like "Drive the hip into the turn" or "Lead with the hip" in the DVD demo--Youri emphasizing hip rotation/drive as the initiator or accelerator for each turn.
  • Rule #8: Probably a follow-up on foot placement, sequencing, or how the feet support that hip action (e.g., "Place the right foot at X position" or "Rotate hips while pivoting left foot").
  • Common Demo Element: Hip drive is front and center in the teaching, but feet aren't visible in the clip, so viewers/coaches must infer or guess foot positions.
  • Your Key Critique: This hip-centric cue contradicts the "Modern Technique" Bondarchuk described in his 1977 Legkaya Atletika article analyzing Youri's 1976 Montreal WR/Gold performance. There, separation comes from the lower body (below shoulders) continuing angular momentum while the upper body (shoulders/arms/head + hammer) lags/relaxes with the ball-not from aggressively driving the hips forward to create load or separation.


Your Interpretation in the Video

From what you've described (and tying to our earlier chats):

  • You added visuals/annotations showing how the hammer ball is deliberately "left behind" during single-support (SS) phases- gravity slowing the rising ball/upper body while the lower body rotates ahead around the vertical pole axis. 
  • This creates natural separation without forceful hip drive: the right foot catches/grounds (heel-roll fading to toe at speed), extends DS, and applies rotational force downward/leftward through the ground. 
  • Hip "drive" in the DVD demo is likely a simplified teaching tool for beginners-helping them feel torso unwinding or countering-but in elite execution (Youri's throws), hips rotate because of the lower- body momentum and right-leg action, not as the primary driver. 
  • You're planning a separate video to "guess" and illustrate probable foot placements in the #7/#8 demos (e.g., left foot pivot timing, right foot re-plant angle/position relative to the low point offset), which should help bridge the gap between invisible demo feet and real-world application.


My Thoughts on This Combined Rule Presentation


1. Spot-On Call-Out on Hip Drive vs. Bondarchuk's Model:

This is one of the clearest discrepancies yet between the DVD's coaching simplifications and Youri's actual competitive technique. Bondarchuk explicitly moved away from hip-driven separation (common in earlier Soviet styles or some Western adaptations) toward right-leg/lower-body dominance for acceleration. Your video highlighting the "left behind" hammer ball during SS (consistent with Otto's velocity curves showing predictable gravity-induced slowdowns) reinforces that the separation is passive/efficient-leveraged physics, not active hip thrust. Showing that visually is gold for coaches/throwers who might otherwise over-emphasize "hip snap" and create tension or early right-foot lift.


2. Why Feet Aren't Shown in Demo Potential Confusion:

Omitting feet in the DVD clip is a missed opportunity-it forces reliance on verbal cues or imagination, which can lead to misapplication. Throwers might guess wrong foot angles (e.g., too open/closed right foot, premature pivot), disrupting the vertical pole axis or orbit plane. Your plan for a follow-up video guessing/reconstructing foot positions is excellent-use slow-mo competition frames, overhead lines for right-foot re-plant (opposite low point), and perhaps side-by-side with a golf club demo to illustrate likely placement. It would make the rules more actionable.


3. Teaching Value of the Combined Video:

Merging #7/#8 works well because they interlock: hip action (taught) foot support (implied but invisible)actual separation (ball-left-behind reality). Your annotations interpreting the lag/ separation add the missing layer-showing why the hip "drive" feel emerges naturally when the system is set up correctly (progressive entry, patience at low point, trailing right foot, fixed vertical pole). This prevents the common error of forcing hips ahead of the ball, which loads the left side excessively (Bondarchuk warning) and shortens DS. 


4. Broader Implications for the Series:

This pair of rules highlights the DVD's strength (simple, fix-oriented cues) and limitation (teaching ideals that evolve at elite speeds). Your approach-presenting the rule, contrasting with throws, adding Bondarchuk context, and proposing foot-placement reconstruction-keeps building that "priceless" resource we talked about. It helps coaches discern: "Use hip drive as a feel cue for beginners to get torso involvement but shift to ball-led/lower-body emphasis as velocity increases."

My Conversation with Grok

I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #7 and #8

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rules #7 and #8 are different from Youri's technique.

DVD - Rules #9 and #10

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

   

Appreciate you combining Rules #9 and #10 in this video-it's a smooth flow, blending the DVD snippets with your analysis, Ralf Otto's angle tables from his WR breakdown, diagrams of shoulder-wire perpendicularity, and those overhead throw sequences to show the real-world application. The runtime (.4.5 minutes) packs in a lot without overwhelming, and the text overlays (e.g., "Do not pull with the leading shoulder. Leave the shoulders perpendicular to the wire") make the key cues pop. Your point about the golf club being kept flat in the demos potentially misleading viewers is on the money, and the inclination of the hammer ball's orbital path is the perfect context to clarify it. Let's break it down, contrasting the teaching with Youri's throws, and tie it to our ongoing chats on relaxation, separation, impulses, and the vertical pole. 


Summary of Rules #9 and #10 from the Video:

From the DVD segments and your markups: 

  • Rule #9: "Always keep shoulders perpendicular to the hammer wire with equal pull on both shoulders. Never pull with the leading shoulder." Youri demonstrates with the golf club in his red tracksuit, holding it flat/low while rotating shoulders relaxed, level, and square to the "wire" (club as proxy). He gestures to emphasize no shrugging or uneven pull, keeping the plane consistent.
  • Rule #10: Appears to build on #9, with a focus on "Do not pull with the leading shoulder" or maintaining that perpendicularity-your video notes "Youri didn't have a Throwing Example for Rule #10,'' so it's demo-heavy. The golf club stays flat, implying "keep the hammer low/not rising above shoulders" as a feel cue. 


The video then transitions to Ralf Otto's analysis of Youri's 1986 WR toss, with tables showing shoulder axis to hammer wire angles (e.g., 85° - 87° at key points, values between 78° and 115° ), diagrams of the "Perpendicular Shoulder Axis to Hammer Wire," and overhead photos illustrating the rotation direction.


Implied fixes: These rules target common errors like tensing/raising shoulders (shortening radius, disrupting plane) or pulling unevenly with the leading (right, thrower's perspective) shoulder (causing orbit wobble or early fatigue). 


Your Insights on Misleading Elements and Orbital Inclination:

You're right that the flat golf club in demos could mislead-it's a simplified tool for beginners to feel relaxation and perpendicularity, but it doesn't capture the hammer's orbital dynamics: 

  • Flat Club vs. Inclined Orbit: The club stays parallel to the ground (low plane) to illustrate shoulders staying level and relaxed-no active raising or shrugging. This teaches "equal pull" and perpendicularly \shoulders square to the wire, no Leading shoulder dominance). But In actual hammer throws, the orbital path has an inclination (tilt, steepening 2-3° per turn to -40-45° at release for optimal trajectory). The high point (behind left foot) naturally rises above shoulder height in SS/ passive phases, and the low point (opposite right foot) dips below. Youri's cue "hammer shouldn't rise above the shoulders" likely applies specifically to the 90-degree position (near low point/ acceleration in active phase)-keeping the ball from climbing vertically during the push, which would waste energy upward instead of tangential acceleration. At 90° , the wire should be perpendicular to shoulders with equal pull, ball low/not "rising" prematurely to maintain long impulse arcs and clean catches. 
  • Relaxed Shoulders, Not Actively Raised: The video's emphasis on "Shoulders Stay Perpendicular to Hammer Wire" ties to relaxation-shoulders don't shrug or lift actively, staying level to let arms/hands swing the ball freely (upper body as extension of the hammer). This enables natural lag (gravity slowing upper in passive phase) and separation (lower body leading via foot/leg push). Pulling with the leading shoulder (right) would tense it, raising unevenly and disrupting perpendicularity-shortening radius, creating backlash, or flattening inclination too much. Otto's angles (78° -115° ) show Youri's real throws allowed some variation for inclination, but always with equal pull/relaxation to keep the orbit efficient.


This aligns with our physics talks: the inclined orbit leverages gravity for SS slowdowns (Otto's charts: consistent 1-2 m/s drops), setting up rebound impulses in active phases. The flat club demo simplifies for control (don't let inclination get wild), but elite execution adapts it-high point above shoulders OK in ascent, but low/90° keeps it below for power. 


Potential Confusion and Ties to Broader Technique:

  • Misleading Demo Aspect: Coaches might take the flat club literally, cueing "keep hammer below shoulders always”: leading to flat orbits, reduced inclination, and suboptimal release angles (too low, losing distance). Your video counters this with Otto's data and diagrams-showing inclination is necessary but controlled at 90° to avoid "dragging" or "leading" the ball upward (as Otto notes: angles >90° can drag, <90° lead too much). 
  • Leading Shoulder Pull: "Never pull with the leading shoulder" reinforces equal pull-right shoulder doesn't dominate, preventing uneven tension that could tilt the pole or shorten arcs. This ties to left- lead post-catch (from your previous video): left side initiates swing from power position, right supports, keeping shoulders relaxed/perpendicular.
  • Inclination Implications: As we know, the hammer ball's orbital path has an inclination for progressive steepening-starting flattish in winds/entry for control, ramping to release. Youri's rule ensures relaxation lets this happen naturally, without active raising (which could exaggerate tilt or cause fouls). Otto's table (angles 85° - 87° at low points) shows Youri's values stayed in the "sweet spot" (78° -115° ) for equal pull without drag/lead. 


This combo rule is a great upper-body companion to the footwork videos-relaxed shoulders enable the hands to swing the ball freely, while lower body "suspends" the system. 

My Conversation with Grok

I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


These is Rule #9 and #10

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rules #9 and #10 are good for Youri's technique.

DVD - Rule #11

Response generated by Grok, built by xAI.

(Edited excerpt from a longer conversation with Grok AI, built by xAI. ) 

     

Rule #11 is about a long acceleration path for the hammer ball. However, the way Youri demonstrated this doesn't give a good example for a coach or thrower.


Thanks for sharing this video on Rule #11; it's a solid breakdown (-6 minutes) that starts with the DVD snippet, critiques its limitations as a coaching example, and then enriches it with your clarifications via the Discobolus comparison, Ralf Otto's acceleration path tables from the 1986 WR analysis, and those colorful stick-figure diagrams of the changing power positions. The text overlays and sequenced frames make it easy to follow. Your point about the demo not giving a good example is fair-it's simplified for basics but lacks the visual punch to show how to achieve that long path in practice. Let's unpack the video, highlight the discrepancies, and connect it to our ongoing threads on impulses, separation, footwork, and the vertical pole. 


Summary of Rule #11 from the Video:

The DVD snippet (Youri in red tracksuit on the field) states the rule as: "Touchdown to begin double support with hammer back toward the landing field (180 degrees). Accelerate hard on right side through low point (0 degrees)." He demonstrates with a golf club, showing the right foot "touchdown" (catch) at 180° (hammer back, facing sector), then accelerating aggressively through the right side as the ball passes low point (0° ). It's brief and conceptual, focusing on starting the active phase (DS) early and pushing hard on the right for a long acceleration arc. 


Your video critiques this as not a "good example" for coaches/throwers- the demo is static-ish and doesn't visually convey how to extend the path in real turns. You clarify with: 

  • Discobolus Comparison: Side-by-side with the sculpture (coiled pose, head back to right hand), showing Youri's power positions echo that maximum twist-open right foot, weight shift, extended arc to overcome anatomical limits.
  • Changing Power Positions: Stick-figure animations (purple/yellow/green lines connecting feet, hips, shoulders) illustrate three evolving positions per turn: First (initial catch at 180° ), Second (mid-push), Third (near low point at 0° )- each with a longer acceleration path as the body unwinds.
  • Otto's Tables: Data from the 86.74m WR toss, showing acceleration path lengths in meters for each turn (e.g., Turn 1: 5.45m, Turn 2: 5.45m, Turn 3: 5.47m, total ratio 55.5% of full toss). Ratios highlight how the right-side hard acceleration contributes to overall distance.
  • Critical Transitions: Ending emphasis on "Leaving the Hammer behind using well-timed Transitions is critical''--tying long paths to proper lag/separation.


The video uses Olympic crowd clips of Youri throwing to show the rule in action, with diagrams circling power positions and paths. 


Discrepancies Between Demo and Actual Throws:

You're right that the demo doesn't fully serve coaches/throwers-it's a quick golf club swing to illustrate the "touchdown at 180° " and "accelerate hard on right through 0° ," but it lacks the dynamic context: 

  • Simplified vs. Complex: The demo is drill-like (flat plane, no full turns), making the long path feel abstract. In throws, the path extends through changing power positions (your three per turn), with inclination steepening-ball lagging behind in passive phases for rebound at catch. Coaches might cue "accelerate hard on right" as brute force, but your video shows that it's timed torque through the right side (open foot catch, left-lead push) for efficiency.
  • Otto's Data as Reality Check: The tables ground the rule in numbers-showing how the right-side push in active phases contributes ~55.5% to the total toss distance. But the demo doesn't show how to achieve those lengths; your stick figures do, illustrating evolving positions (first: weight on left foot, truly little on right; second/third: shifting for longer path). 
  • Power Positions Importance: You didn't gloss over this for good reason-these are the impulse hotspots where acceleration happens. The demo skips them, but your video makes them central: three per turn, each longer than the last, with green/red circles highlighting how lag (ball behind) sets up the path without fouls or short impulses. 


This rule ties to our velocity discussions (Otto charts: steep DS ramps from long paths) and footwork (open catch at 180° enables the right-side hard push through 0° ). 


Potential Confusion for Coaches/Throwers:

The demo's brevity could mislead: 

  • Over-Focusing "Hard Acceleration": Throwers might force right-side push without power positions, shortening paths or creating reactions. Your clarifications (Discobolus for twist, tables for lengths, diagrams for positions) provide the "how"-emphasizing transitions and lag for natural extension.
  • 180° Touchdown Timing: The demo shows it conceptually, but without actual throws, coaches might mistime the catch (too early/late), reducing path length. Your video's Olympic clips and "changing power positions" show the real sequence: touchdown at 180° with ball back, then accelerate through evolving positions to 0°.
  • Long Path vs. Velocity: Otto's data shows the path's contribution ( ~55.5%), but the demo doesn't link it to impulses-your emphasis on positions and transitions clarifies long paths= more time for high- force impulses, better than short/brute ones. 

This video elevates Rule #11 from abstract cue to actionable analysis-great for coaches who struggle to translate demos. 

My Conversation with Grok

I shared Youri's 13 Rules  from his DVD with a snippet of the rule and a several marked up throws of Youri's competitive and practice throws.


This is Rule #11

Visit Grok

This is a video that I shared with Grok to show that Rule #11 is with more info is good for Youri's technique.

Copyright © 2026 Throw Like Youri - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Grok Talks
  • Grok DVD
  • Youri's Memorial
  • Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Youri's DVD
  • John F. "Jack" Warner
  • Doc Hermann
  • Ireland 2024
  • Dr Bondarchuk
  • Grok AI - 2
  • Bobbies

Powered by