Watch the javelin in full speed and it is a thing of beauty. Watch it in slow motion and it'll often make you cringe. In order to throw a spear the length of a football field requires athletes to put their body in extreme positions with massive amounts of force transferring through the kinetic chain. Mastering it is hard, staying at the top even harder. Steve Backley was not just one of the best javelin throwers of all time, but sat atop the sport for 15 years. On this episode of the GAINcast, Backley joins us to discuss how he developed in the sport, what creates the perfect throw, and becoming a better competitor. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2019/03/gaincast-episode-156-chucking-spears-with-steve-backley/

This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus and GAIN. Learn more about GAIN 2019 on GAINcast 154. Applications are now open at www.thegainnetwork.com.

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• This month's HMMR Media site theme is throwing. That ties into today's episode, and we have more resources on the site. Click here for an overview of our top resource on all the throwing events. Join HMMR Plus so that you get full access to our video, article, and podcast archive.
• You can learn more about Backley on his website and Twitter (@Steve_Backley). He has also written a book The Champion in All of Us: 12 rules for success. He also shared 10 lessons he learned from his career in an article for BBC Sport.
• Listening to Backley describe his technique is one thing, but you really have to see it to understand what he is talking about. Check out videos of his 91.46 meter world record and 90.81 meter throw are both on YouTube.
• If you want to learn more about the javelin, we posted some javelin specific strength exercises with coach Terry McHugh. For specific strength exercises for all the throwing events, watch Lesson 9 in the HMMR Classroom.