Willie Little

I am a USA Track and Field Level 2 Certified Coach who specializes in the throwing events including shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin. I work with athletes at the youth, middle school, high school, collegiate, and post collegiate levels with a focus on technical development, strength training, and building confidence in competition.

I currently coach throws at Brownsburg High School and also support Marian University Athletics. I am the founder of Only Throwers, a training platform dedicated to developing elite throwers through technical coaching, video analysis, strength programming, and recruiting guidance.

Over the course of my coaching career I have helped develop national champions, NCAA All Americans, state champions, and All State athletes. I care deeply about helping athletes build a strong foundation in the throws while also preparing them for opportunities at the collegiate level.

I am also the co founder of AthLead Indy, a youth leadership and track and field organization that serves athletes ages 4 through 18. Through AthLead Indy we focus on mentorship, mental health, community service, and athletic development. The program has helped hundreds of athletes and supported over 1.5 million dollars in scholarship opportunities.

Before coaching I competed at the University of Indianapolis where I was a three time NCAA All American in the throwing events. That experience still shapes how I coach today. I understand the discipline, consistency, and mindset it takes to compete at a high level and I bring that perspective to every athlete I work with.

Most of the athletes I train are middle school and high school throwers, but I also work with youth athletes who are learning the events and collegiate athletes who are looking to improve technically and continue progressing in their careers.

I competed at the University of Indianapolis where I specialized in the throwing events including shot put, discus, and hammer throw. During my collegiate career I became a three time NCAA All American and competed at the national level against some of the best throwers in the country.

My time at the University of Indianapolis helped shape my understanding of high level training, competition, and the discipline required to perform at the national stage. Competing at that level taught me the importance of technical precision, strength development, and mental preparation in the throwing events.

Because of my impact as both an athlete and mentor in the community, I was inducted into the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana Hall of Fame in 2023. That recognition reflects my commitment not only to athletics but also to mentorship and youth development.

My athletic experience continues to influence how I coach today. I bring the perspective of someone who has competed at the NCAA national level and understands what it takes to improve, compete, and succeed in the throwing events.

When an athlete trains with me the goal is always to make them better technically, physically, and mentally. Every session is structured so the athlete understands what we are working on and why it matters for their performance.

We usually start with a dynamic warm up. This includes mobility work, sprint mechanics, and explosive movements to get the body ready to move fast and safely. Athletes will go through drills like high knees, butt kicks, lunges, skips, and short accelerations. We also do activation work for the hips, core, and shoulders because those areas are critical for throwers.

After the warm up we move into technical drills. These drills break down specific positions in the throw so athletes can feel the correct movement patterns before going into full throws. Depending on the event this might include power position drills, South African drills, step in throws, wheel drills for rotational shot put, or entry drills for discus and hammer. I spend time explaining the purpose of each drill so athletes understand how it connects to their full throw.

Once the athlete has worked through the drills we begin controlled throws. This is where we apply the technique into full movement. During this part of the session I focus on things like balance, rhythm, hip separation, and finishing through the throw. I give immediate feedback between attempts and often record video so we can review the movement together.

Throughout the session I focus on building consistency. Instead of just chasing a big throw we work on repeating the same positions over and over so the athlete develops confidence and control in the ring.

Most sessions also include explosive work such as medicine ball throws, plyometrics, or short sprint work. This helps athletes develop the power and coordination that transfer directly into their throwing performance.

We finish each session with a short cooldown that includes stretching, mobility work, and a quick conversation about what the athlete did well and what they need to focus on next. I also encourage athletes to journal their training so they stay connected to their goals and progress.

The goal of every session is simple. Help athletes understand their technique, build confidence in the ring, and leave better than they arrived.