Hammer Throwing Analysis of Yuri Sedykh
Article by Alan Bertram (May 1998 – The Thrower Magazine editor Max Jones)
Yuri Sedykh, World record holder at 86.74m, uses two swings and three turns to execute the throw. Over the years he has developed a superb throwing technique and this, along with his rapid speed and abundant strength, has established him as the finest hammer throwing exponent in the history of the event.
Swings And Entry
Figure 1: This is the end of the first swing. His upper body is long and relaxed and does not move a lot during the swings. Sedykh works the hammer through a frontal plane on this swing. Note low point of hammer, which is offset to his right foot.
Figures 2 & 3 again, the upper body is long and relaxed for the second swing. On this swing, however, he turns back more and works a nice flat plane on entry. The second swing is fast. It can be seen from Figure 4 that the low point is not so low. He is now sitting on the left leg and establishing an axis of rotation and this will be maintained throughout the throw. Entry commences at 0 or 12 o’clock. The hips and shoulders are square to the hammer— this occurs between Figures 4&5. Worthy of note is the straight line on the left of the foot, the knee, the hips and shoulder — a line which is also noticeable at the time of landing at Figure 8
Turning
Executed by a balanced smooth rotation on the heel of the left foot and the toe of the right foot. Note head and eyes of Sedykh, for they remain direction of hammer throughout the throw. This obtains maximum radius and prevents the athlete from dragging the hammer as done by athletes of yesteryear.
Figure 6 clearly displays that Sedykh uses a long double support phase, for both feet remain on the ground till about 90 degrees of the first turn. In subsequent turns the right foot takes off a little earlier—Figures 10& 15
Sedykh maintains a central relationship between the left and right legs. This maintained till the balance point is reached (between Figures 6 & 7. 10 & 15) It is here that Sedykh commences to initiate the drop of the body by use of the left leg which must commence prior to the hammer reaching its point. For the end effect, see left leg in Figures 8. 12 & 16
Of great interest too is the early landing of the right foot at around 270 degrees to 280 degrees. Sedykh was, as far as I know, the founder of this technique. A fault, or is it intentional? Sedykh lands on a flat right foot at the end of the first turn (Biguii.a) and this is in evidence in virtually all the throws I have seen on video of athlete. He, however, lands on the ball of the right foot on his second and third turns. -
With the early landing of the right foot and the long double support phase in which the right foot actively screws towards the left, it means that the double support phase operates or exists for about 170 degrees of each turn (see Figures 8—10 & 12—14)
Of great interest too are the actions of the left leg not readily seen in this sequence, but apparent when analysing video pictures of the athlete. How does it work?
Immediately Sedykh lands with the right foot, the left leg pushes away from the right, thus forming a gate. There is slight evidence of this in Figures 8 & 12 & 13 It is done by applying pressure on the toe of the left foot through the left knee and pushing hard to the left. Sedykh is quick then to get into the left heel, but not before the heel has been brought inside (see Figures 9 & 1 ) The heel, again pressing towards the left. This movement allows for the transition from the heel to the ball to be a much shorter movement and in turn less circle space used. (The movement of the left leg and its resultant left foot positions is more effectively demonstrated by Gunther Rodehau of the German Democratic Republic.)
Delivery
Sedykh nicely underturns on the last turn (Figure 17) — note how quick the left leg is pushing towards the direction of the throw and how Sedykh is stretching from the hammer. He is extremely active and well balanced here. He allows the hammer to pass through its low point before he strikes with active legs delivering up through the left from a good platformed left foot.
