My Rules to Throw Like Youri
Rule 1: You MUST Wind like Youri.
During COVID Youri and I discussed why he didn’t teach his technique. His reason was the difficulty of the transition from the winds into the entry. He thought it was easier to have an additional turn. Youri also had the common idea that each thrower can have personalized winds.
I explained to Youri [proven by decades of experience] my first rule.
Rule 2: You MUST Shift to the Left.
Shifting your body weight:
- Makes it easier to look at the hammer.
- Swings the hammer ball long left.
- Increases the power of your entry.
- Moves the hammer ball's orbit to the left.
Rule 3: You MUST bend at the Waist.
Done at the entry it:
- Sets up a vertical axis of rotation for your thrower- hammer-system.
- Increases the hammer ball's radius.
- Allows your body to move your foot along the edge of the heel, side, and toes.
- Causes your left knee to bend.
- Lengthens the acceleration path during the delivery and release.
Rule 4: You MUST leave the hammer behind.
Done going to each catch:
- Lengthens the acceleration path.
- Allows the upper body [shoulders and above] to separate from the lower body {below the shoulders].
- Stops over rotation for the right foot.
- Enables hands to move the ball immediately when the right foot lands.
Believe None of What You Hear and Half of What You See
Coaching is semantics. Watching videos is optics. But what about “FEELING.”
I know many of you would like to have a better sensation of the way Youri threw. A few of you may even want to feel what it’s like to toss the hammer as Youri did.
This September 2025 will mark half-a-century since I met Youri in Rome and trained with him. In 2021, Youri and I discussed why he taught 4-turns instead of his technique. I reminded him of what he told me in 1975. There is one major element of his technique that is impossible to put into words and extremely difficult to see while watching his videos.
My plan is to get back into the circle to help me to help you feel you're throwing like Youri. I’ll go to meets and throw competitively. And if there is demand for a Throw Like Clinic either formally or informally, we can have one.
I won’t be debating with you how Youri threw, nor showing you videos of his tosses. You’ll be feeling it yourself.
Just Feel it!
