KS3 · Physical education · Year 7
Shot put technique
Athletics: run, jump, throw and officiate
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can accurately perform the shot put technique in practice conditions.
1 of 10
Shot put technique: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can accurately perform the shot put technique in practice conditions.
Key learning points
- Move: beginning in a toe-knee-chin position will allow for the necessary transfer of weight when throwing for distance.
- Move: holding the shot with ‘clean palm and dirty neck’ ensures the put is legal.
- Think: maximal levels of force is needed to put the shot and requires rest periods to recover.
- Feel: self-belief is required to put the shot due to the weight of the shot and the strength required.
- Connect: offering encouragement to others will give them confidence to perform this challenging event.
Words to know
- put
- an action specific to the shot putt event, requiring a pushing action to send the shot
- position
- the body’s posture and alignment at different stage of the action
- shot
- the name of the heavy ball in shot put
Common mistakes
Putting is a unique action and pupils often unwittingly revert to a throwing action which can lead to injury. Throwing is against the rules/regukations, thus it is also often illegal in competitions
Encourage the key technical points of holding the shot against the neck throughout the preparation and pushing the shot phases first, alsongide the key point about a straight wrist and extending elbow following behind at all times.
For parents, carers and teachers
- A command style/safety-first approach is required. Be clear on instructions to leave no doubt about when you are happy for pupils to release, collect and carry the shot back to the approopriate area. This lesson assumes no throwing cage is available therefore only standing throw technique is used.