Coaching The
Female Thrower
With a Focus in:
The High School Shot and Discus
By Sean Denard, North Central College Throws Coach
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Philosophy
Organization
Perceiving the Female Thrower
Psychology
Coaching Cues
Discus Technique
Shot Technique
Weight Room Exercises
Key Lifts
OVER VIEW
• Discover Purpose from your athletes regarding their
membership with the team
• Understand relativity of success Internal vs External
• Create an Environment for the opportunity of success
• Establish Directive of Constructive Behavior
• Recognize disposition: Tasks vs Relationships
• Implement periods of Communication & Broadcasting
• Explain reasons for actions
Leave Them Unsatisfied
PHILOSOPHY
ORGANIZATION
• Group Size
• Event Group Size may range from a few to 50 athletes
• Sub Groups of 4-8 yield best productivity
• Athletes will naturally divide into subset groups
• Talent
• Social
• Observe this migration but also interact keeping certain athletes together or
separate for constructive purposes
• Groups should predicate on:
1. Proven Talent
2. Work Ethic
3. Chemistry
4. Potential Talent
5. Strength
6. Age
ORGANIZATION
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Practicing Boys and Girls Together VS Separate
• PROS:
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Group Best Throwers Together
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Group Complimentary Throwers Together
Breaks Down Barriers
CONS:
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May Draw Attention to Differential Coaching Styles
Distractions
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Finding Space to Drill/Throw
• Hallways
• Parking Lots
• Track
• Side Walks
• Drive Ways
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Weight Room
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Athletes should share time but not racks unless strength levels are close
Rotate and Split into groups of Throwing, Lifting, Drilling, Additional Exercises
Implements
• Make sure your athletes have the proper tools to be successful.
ORGANIZATION
PERCEIVING
THE FEMALE THROWER
• Males and Females Operate Within Different Parameter of Athleticism
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Stereotypically Males are Viewed as Better Athletes Than Females
Some Females are Better Athletes Than Males
• More Frequent in Lower Levels of Competition Such as High School Athletics
• Not as Prevalent in Elite Settings
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At Pinnacle of Sport Athleticism Greater Separations Occur Regarding Approaches to Coaching Genders
At High School Level this Separation is Little to Not Existent:
• Coaching the Male and Female should be near identical approach
• Female Throwers Need to Be Pushed
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Integrate Like Throwers with Like Throwers
Integrate Top Females with Top Males
Integrate Middle Females with Middle Males
etc
MALE
FEMALE
• Task Orientated
• High Level of Strength
• Authoritarian Sports
History Results in High
Level of Coachability
• Relationship Orientated
• High Level of Body
Awareness
• Adhocracy History
Results in High Level of
Communication
KEY CHARACTERISTCS
• American Disposition Towards Strength and Weight
Room Exercises Allows Easy Misinterpretation of
Female Capabilities
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
• When Appraising Throwers:
• Keep Your Eyes in The Ring
• Be Aware of Adherence to Practice Plan
• Allow Grace Period
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
MALE
FEMALE
• Want to Feel like they are
‘the best’
• Wants to believe Coach
has best program to make
them ‘the best’
• Prone to more exhibits of
being devoid of emotions
• Want to Feel like they are
‘good’
• Want to believe Coach
thinks they are or can be
‘good’
• Prone to more exhibits of
emotions
PSYCHOLOGICAL KEYS
COACHING CUES
• Certain Athletes Need to Be Treated Different Ways
DO NOT LIMIT THIS DISTINCTION TO GENDER
• Coach to their PERSONALITY
• Consider Background of Athlete
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Family
Heritage
Motivation
Ability
COACHING CUES
• More Often in Coach Denard’s Personal Experience His
Female Athletes Have Needed Greater, More Constant
Positive Reinforcement Than His Male Athletes
• Male Athletes Have Many Similar Thought Processes,
However, Culture Has Taught Them to Internalize Moments
• COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL in Building
Relationships That Will Help Athletes Construct Positive
Self-Awareness
COACHING CUES
• Allow for Strong, Authentic Relationship Between
Yourself and Your Athletes.
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Communication
Ownership
Responsibility
Entrepreneurship
#1 KEY FOR COACHING
FEMALE THROWERS
DISCUS TECH
• KEY POINTS:
• Body Awareness
• Young Females May Have Greater BA Than Males
• Comfortability
• Young Males May Have Great Comfort With Their Bodies
Than Females
• Confidence
• Female Lack of Confidence May Root In Body Comfortability
• Male Lack of Confidence May Root In Body Awareness
DISCUS TECHNIQUE
• KEY POINTS:
• The 1K is not the 1.6K or the 2K
• Accelerate Discus Around Body in Entry
• Blocking in Final
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeKaFNVR9UU
DISCUS TECHNIQUE
SHOT TECH
• Glide is Queen
• Spin is option if matches athletes mind/level of athleticism
• Transfer to Block
• Straight Line
• FLICK
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soGmSXFO7wI
SHOT PUT TECH
• KEY POINTS:
• Acceleration is key
• Strength is second
• Safety in lifting
• Understand correlation of 4/1K as compared to 5/7/2K
WEIGHT ROOM
• Squats
• Good Mornings
• Clean
• Snatch
• Jerk
• Bench
• Twists
KEY LIFTS
North Central College
Throws Camp
Contact Head Throws Coach, Sean Denard
@
630-294-2466
Or
sgdenard@noctrl.edu
Shot Put, Discus, Hammer Camps in June and July