Daniel T.

Throwing Events (Shot Put and Discus):
I was first introduced to coaching in High School when I had a private coach but my School's team had no permanent throwing coach. Being the most experienced and knowledgeable Thrower, the Head Coach asked me to peer coach the Throwing team, boys and girls alike. I did this for all 3 years I was on the team.

I continued to throw for recreation for 5 years after High School until this past year when I coached High School Track (Indoor and Outdoor) at Baltimore City College. I coached a total of 10 different throwers, all of whom had marked improvements. The best improvement was one of my girl throwers who went from 18 feet in Shot Put and terrible form, to 35 feet and near flawless form which landed her in the finals at the State Meet both Indoor and Outdoor. I was able to get her there in the matter of a few months. Many athletes also improved in Discus but most seemed to enjoy Shot Put more and put more time into that. The largest improvement in Discus was one of my guy throwers who went from a 78ft initial throw to 112ft 1-1/2 months later.

I can also train you in Weight Lifting exercises and techniques beneficial to throwing, as well as conditioning and running routines and practices that can help. My Weight Lifting training was 3 years of High School Weights & Fitness class (5 days a week, every week, for 3 school years) as well as a few sessions I had with an National Level Thrower and Weight Lifter who taught me a few exercises especially beneficial to Throwing.

My competition was limited to High School and Open Meets. In High School I showed major improvements, starting at a measly 16ft Shot Put (sophomore year, Indoor Season), and ending near to 38ft (senior year, Outdoor Season). With this I medaled at the County Meet and made it to Finals at the Regional Meet. In Discus I began at 54ft (Outdoor, Sophomore) and made it to 123ft (Outdoor, Senior). With that I medaled at the County Meet and placed at the Regional Meet.

During and after High School, I was continually the target for recruitment by many Division III schools and at least one Division II school (though my 38ft and 123ft throws were not exceptional, I showed potential for bigger throws). I however decided to put my academic career ahead of my athletic career and attended UMBC, a Division I school. As such I only continued to throw in Open Meets.

I love Throwing and sometimes regret not going on to throw on higher levels. I would love to go back in time and maybe devote myself to more training and try for Division I, but alas I must live with the lot I created for myself. Now my devotion is to passing on the art of throwing and making sure others do not get too lazy and miss once in a lifetime opportunities.

First of all, a standard session would be an hour, however we can do whatever period of time works best for you. As far as the focus of my sessions, Form and Technique are essential in my mind and they are taught throw replication and repetition. Lifting and working on strength and speed are huge as well, and I would be open to gym sessions if you have a home gym or a public gym that allows guests. However, a regular session with me takes place in the throwing circle. We can find a circle near you or near me (there is a fairly well maintain one at my local public high school).

The standard layout of a session is as follows: We would warm-up with a lap or two (quarter-half mile) on the track or some jumping jacks or jump rope. We would then do a few stretches and make sure we are training limber and flexible. We can train one event or both, but would start with whichever one you need the most help on. During our first session, you would be throwing a lot so I may observe and analyze and figure out where the trouble points are. In subsequent sessions I would show you a new habit I want you to train and see if you can replicate it. After that it's repetition repetition repetition as we throw a ton and then throw some more until you stop thinking about the new habit and it becomes second nature. Then we move onto the next thing we need to change and repeat the process. Don't worry, if this style doesn't work for you I can adapt, I am a Maryland Certified Teacher and I understand the learning process and many different techniques.

There will also be breaks in our session to do some aerobic exercises, stretch, and have discussions about techniques. I need to be sure that not only does your body understand what you are doing, but that you also consciously understand. As you become more familiar and conscious of the technique and form, I will enter the circle and doing something wrong. Could be small, could be huge. You will have to correct me and explain the correction to me as I ask questions like I'm an inexperienced thrower. One thing I know as a teacher, when you are forced to teach something to someone who thinks about things in different ways than you, you come to understand that topic in greater depth.

The lesson would conclude with a cool down and stretch.