Throwing Events - Discus and Javelin

This Schedule is one of three referring to throwing as part of athletics field events. It refers to throwing the discus and the javelin.

As part of the process of safety self-regulation, all persons engaging in this activity should identify the hazards, assess their significance and manage the potential risks including any additional hazards not mentioned here.

Each of the throwing implements has the potential to cause injury.

The categorisation of these conditions is subjective and offered as a starting point for risk management planning. The actual degree of risk is best ascertained by persons with intimate local knowledge present at the site of the activity.

Discus and javelin throwing events are categorised as High risk (level 3).

One adult present should have knowledge of, and an ability to perform, first aid procedures.

If an adult other than a registered teacher is engaged for instruction, a teacher should be present to take overall responsibility.

The qualifications listed in this section are minimums for each type of situation. Leaders are encouraged to seek training to raise their qualification level above the minimum listed.

For High Risk (Level 3) activities, the leader should be:

• a registered teacher with competence (demonstrated ability to undertake the activity) in the teaching of the specific throw; or
• an adult who has Level 1 Accreditation from the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, if a teacher with these qualifications is not available.

Discuses with cracked or worn rims or loose centre screws should be withdrawn from use.

A first aid kit should be available at all venues where lessons and competitions are conducted.

Initial introduction of the activity should include:

• appropriate warm-up and warm-down activities;
• rules, safety procedures and prerequisite skills before students play the game;
• progressive and sequential skill development.

Teachers should ensure that students:

• are free of any physical injury which may affect their capacity to throw or which may be aggravated as a result of throwing; and
• have appropriate foot protection when participating on a tartan or similar surface. (It may be deemed safe for them to participate in bare feet on a well-grassed surface free of loose obstacles.)

Activities should be designed to facilitate learning of biomechanically sound throwing techniques.

Activities should be sited away from buildings, pedestrians and other activities.

The throwing area should be of adequate width for group instruction, or the number of throwers on each occasion should be restricted so that:

• all throwing takes place in one direction; and
• the individuals in adjoining areas are safe.

The throwing area should be of adequate length to contain the implements thrown, given consideration of the ability level of the group.

The throwing sector area and approach and/or launch areas should be marked with highly visible markers to prevent access by non-participants.

The approach and/or launch area should be dry and free of any loose materials.

Equipment should be appropriately sized or modified to match the ability and strength levels of the students.

The teacher should:

• implement strategies for safe athletics activities involving throwing events;
• instruct students about safety rules before equipment is issued;
• supervise the approach/launch area and throwing sector at all times;
• instruct students to check that there is nobody in the sector before they commence preparation for the throw;
• establish a system of commands to signal when students are to retrieve implements;
• not allow 'pair' or return throwing.
• dry implements before each throw if conditions cause dampness; and
• instruct students regarding safety procedures in the use of spikes.

Discus

Discuses being returned to the throwing area should be carried.

For group instruction in the standing throw:

• throwers should be at least 5 metres apart; and
• left-handed throwers should be placed on the left side of the group.

For group instruction in the turning throw:

• the turn should be practised with modified equipment or without a discus;
• where the discus is to be thrown using the turn, one individual throws at a time;
• where throwing takes place, other students should be behind protective cages/barriers, well clear of the wire; and
• where no protective cage/barrier is available, other students should be at least 20 metres behind and to the non-throwing side.

Protective cages or improvised barriers (e.g. fence, hockey nets) should be provided when students are using the turn.

Javelin

Javelins should be carried by the grip and in a vertical position with tail up, except when the thrower has entered the specific approach area and is preparing to throw.

Teachers should instruct students:

• not to run with the javelin except when preparing to throw; and
• not to run to retrieve a javelin in case they run into the tail end of a javelin.

Teachers should instruct students to:

• place one hand over the tail end of the javelin before attempting to pull it from the ground; and
• place one hand over the tip of the tail end when picking up a javelin lying flat on the ground. This hand should be kept in place until the tail end is raised above head height as the javelin is lifted into the vertical position.

Javelins being returned to the throwing area should be carried.

For group instruction:

• all throwing should be done from one line within clearly marked side boundaries;
• students should be placed 5 metres apart; and
• other students should be assembled at least 5 metres behind and to one side of the marked approach and delivery area.

Improvised equipment should be used for warm-up and skill-drill exercises and for group instruction.

• Queensland School Sport
• HLS-PR-013: Developing a Sun Safety Strategy
• SCM-PR-002: School Excursions
• HLS-PR-005: Injury, Illness and Dangerous Event Recording and Reporting
• HLS-PR-003: First Aid for Schools and Non-school Locations