Coaching Young Athletes

Does Training With Heavier Shots & Discuses Give Kids An Advantage?

I see a few young athletes practising with implements, usually shots and discuses, that are heavier than what their age group uses in competition.

I understand the thinking behind this: training with a heavier implement will make the recommended weight for the athlete’s age group seem much easier.

In some cases, the heavier implement may be the only one that the athlete has to practice with; but would I recommend using a heavier implement by choice? No.

Young athletes should avoid practising with heavier implements.

Let me explain.

Two important elements that a young athlete needs to develop in the throws are:

1. Speed of release of the implement.
2. A sound, reliable technique.

Using a heavier implement may hamper efforts to develop both of these things. This is because the heavier weight will:

1. Slow down the athlete’s movements, including slowing their arm speed.
2. Make it more difficult for the athlete to produce the technique being sought. Dealing with the weight of the implement may become the primary focus.

Would I ever ask a young athlete to use a different weight implement to what they use in competition? Absolutely! A lighter implement used in practice can assist the development of movement speed and make it easier to development a sound technique.

Lighter implements can assist with the development of movement speed.

Another advantage is that a lighter implement allows more repetitions to be completed before fatigue sets in, increasing the amount of learning opportunities.

I believe, therefore, that young athletes should avoid using throwing implements that are heavier than what is recommended for their age group.

Let me know what you think!

Do you agree? Do you have any experience with using heavier or lighter implements? What were the results? Let me know by leaving a reply/comment or by using the contact details below.

Further reading

How To Teach Shot Put To Young Athletes E-Book (plus bonus cheat sheet) by Coaching Young Athletes

How To Teach Discus To Young Athletes E-Book (plus bonus cheat sheet) by Coaching Young Athletes

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