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[quote=Anonymous]Hi! My DS also came to javelin via musical theater.  There aren’t many resources for kids out there, sadly.  He learned mostly through watching videos, trial and error, and the HS coach helping out at the summer rec track program once or twice.

To start, get her a turbo jav to practice with. You can find one for $40-50 on Amazon or the local sporting goods store. Usually beginners start with 300g, but at her age she can handle 500g.  The longer shaft is more stable and easier to fly.

There are three different grips for the javelin, which you can google. Have her try out each one to see what she’s most comfortable with.

The throwing technique is more like flying a paper airplane than throwing a football.  Start with “throwing darts”.  Before working on distance, have her stand still and throw in a straight line. Set up a target or a trash can outside and let her work on aiming and hitting it.  Gradually move the target father away.

Once she’s proficient at that, she can work on getting a little more power into the throw.  The javelin isn’t so much thrown as pulled over the shoulder.  It’s important to throw through the tip.  It’s hard to explain without a diagram, but throwing through the tip means that when getting ready to throw, whatever angle she’s holding the jav at (usually 30-45 degrees), she needs to launch it into flight through that same angle.  Many beginning throwers make the mistake of holding it at the correct angle, but then throwing it straight forward.  Or, the tip is off to the left or right at launch, causing it to yaw during flight.  It helps to identify a landmark, like the top of a distant tree, and use that as a target.

Once she masters flight, she can start to add 5-7 steps, with a crow hop at the end, and then eventually crossovers.  The speed of the runup is what transfers power, like a whip, into the throw.  She’ll need a strong block on the left side (if she’s right handed, or vice versa if left handed).  Strength training helps here.

There might be throwing clinics or camps in your area, but they’re usually aimed at high schoolers.  Maybe your local high school coach would give her some pointers? We found a private coach through Coach Up, which was really helpful.  Taking slow mo videos of my son throwing also helped identify bad habits.

Good luck! It’s a fun event.[/quote]

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