Shot put
A track and field event of putting a heavy spherical ball.
The shot put is a track and field event in which a heavy spherical ball, called the shot, is put (thrown) as far as possible. The event has ancient roots, with Homer mentioning rock throwing by soldiers during the siege of Troy, though there is no record of such throws in Greek competitions. The first evidence of stone- or weight-throwing events comes from the Scottish Highlands, dating back to approximately the first century. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII of England was noted for his prowess in court competitions of weight and hammer throwing. The modern shot put likely originated in the Middle Ages, when soldiers held competitions hurling cannonballs. Recorded competitions began in early 19th-century Scotland, and the event became part of the British Amateur Championships in 1866. The men’s shot put has been included in the modern Olympic Games since their revival in 1896, and women’s competition began in 1948. The event is also part of combined events such as the decathlon, heptathlon, and women’s pentathlon. Competitors throw from a marked circle with a toe board at the front. The distance is measured from the inside of the circle to the nearest mark made by the shot, rounded down to the nearest centimeter. Legal throws require the shot to be kept close to the neck and released above shoulder height with one hand. The athlete must not touch the top of the circle or toe board, and the shot must land within a 34.92-degree sector. Two primary putting styles are used: the glide, invented in 1951 by Parry O’Brien, which involves a backward-facing start and a 180-degree rotation; and the spin.
- event_type
- Track and field throwing event
- men's_shot_weight
- 7.26 kg (16 lb)
- women's_shot_weight
- 4 kg (8.82 lb)
- throwing_sector_angle
- 34.92°
Lore & Background
The shot put is a track and field event in which a heavy spherical ball, known as the shot, is propelled as far as possible using a pushing motion called a "put." The event’s origins lie in medieval soldiers’ competitions involving the hurling of cannonballs, with the first recorded contests appearing in early 19th-century Scotland. The modern men’s event has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896, with women’s competition added in 1948. The shot is made of metal and is kept close to the neck throughout the throw, with the release occurring above shoulder height using one hand. The throwing area is a marked circle with a toe board at the front; the athlete must not touch the top or outside of the circle or the ground beyond it. The shot must land within a sector of 34.92 degrees, a safety measure narrowed from 40 degrees in 2004. Two primary techniques are used: the glide, a linear movement where the thrower faces backward and rotates 180 degrees, and the spin, which involves a rotational motion. The goal of both styles is to release the shot at an angle slightly less than 45 degrees to maximize distance. Competitions typically involve qualification rounds followed by a final with multiple throws, the longest legal put determining the winner.
Reader's Guide
Competitions typically involve qualification rounds and a final with three preliminary throws, followed by three additional throws for the top eight competitors; the longest legal put wins. The glide involves a linear backward-to-forward motion, while the spin uses rotational momentum. Most top male shot putters currently use the spin, though the glide offers greater consistency. The world record for men is 23.37 meters, set by Ryan Crouser using a spin technique with an added move called the 'Crouser Slide.' The cartwheel style, a vertical spinning technique, is banned in major competitions.
Did You Know?
- The first recorded shot put competitions were in early 19th-century Scotland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shot put?
The shot put is a track and field throwing event in which an athlete launches a heavy metal sphere as far as possible from a small circle. Unlike the javelin or discus, it relies on a pushing motion from the shoulder rather than a swinging or spinning release.
How does Shot put's story end?
A throw is nullified if the athlete steps on or over the front edge of the circle before the shot lands, or if the shot lands outside the marked sector. The competitor with the longest valid distance across all attempts takes the event.
What's Shot put's origin story?
Homer referenced soldiers hurling rocks, and the earliest organized weight-throwing contests are traced to the Scottish Highlands around the first century. The event was later standardized into the regulated circle-and-sector format we see in competition today.
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