THROWING THE WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE

Throwing the weight for Distance is done with a ball and chain, no more than 18" long with a handle attached.  Although there are two standard weights - 28lbs and 56lbs - the former is used in Bridge of Allan.

The thrower must use only one hand and has 9 feet behind the marker to make 3 full turns before releasing the handle and hurling the weight forward.

Competitors are disqualified if they unbalance themselves when throwing and step or fall over the marker.  When properly executed, it is decidedly the most graceful and eye-catching of the heavyweight events but it has its risks.  This is why you see the ":cage" behind the thrower which is there to protect the audience from the Hammer and (not as some have suggested) from the heavy weights themselves!)