|
A
Light-Hearted Look at the Heavy Events by
Sean Langford |
The Scottish
Heavy Events are the ultimate test of
strength and power. Athletes will
demonstrate incredible feats of
determination and muscle as they attempt
to conquer the eight events of the highland
games. Each event is different,
requiring a tremendous amount of
technique mastery. Here are some
guidelines to better help you understand
the distances associated with each
event.
|
|
Open Stone |
Think Olympic shot
put, only with a rock. You can move your
feet, often in a rotational or glide
manner, all you want within a 7.5'x 4.5'
area. We’ll use a 16lb stone for
distance reference.
25' - All shoulder throw. You don't know
where your legs are, or if they're even
attached.
30' - You've got some kind of shuffle
going on, but not enough leg drive.
35' - Starting to truly get it, but the
angle's probably low. Very decent
Amateur B mark.
40' - A pretty standard Amateur A mark.
Means you've probably had no official
training with shot putting, but
you've
watched enough video to fake it.
45' - You've got it going on. High
Amateur A or even a low pro.
50+ - Probably another one of those
track and field guys 10 years of
coaching backing him up.
60+ - Everyone else gives up.
|
|
Scottish Hammer |
Precursor to the Olympic hammer. Solid
handle. 50" long. Feet can't move.
Release behind you. Spikes are often put
onto boots to allow more leaning back or
at least more traction on the ground.
I'll use the 16# version as reference.
For the heavy (22#) hammer, just
subtract 20'.
70' - Winds feel like an unfolding lawn
chair. You're just starting, have poor
shoulder flexibility or just hate this
event.
80' - Winds are smoother, but hard to
put full strength into throw because of
mis-timed power position or bent
arms.
90' - Still no spikes on your feet, but
now you have a decent release angle.
Probably still bending your arms on
the winds, but the release is sweet. This
will win you most Am B contests.
100' - You figured out how to speed it
up and now you look like a hammer
thrower.
110' - More and more competitive. High
Amateur A number.
120' - You probably like the hammer now
and consider it the best event ever.
130'+ - You can throw hammer anywhere
and with anyone and no one laughs.
150+ - I think there are 4 of you.
|
|
28lb Weight for Distance |
28# (2 stone) at the
end of a chain. 18" long, total
implement. What the hell...it's only
28#, right? 4.5'x 9' area to throw in.
How hard can it be...
35' - You just started and moving your
feet without planting your heels pains
you mentally. Single spin stuff.
40' - You took your single spin and made
it smooth. Now you just need to make it
fast.
50' - You learned two spins and still
miss your power position from time to
time, but it's getting cleaner. High Am
B number.
60' - You know how to throw this thing.
Now it's a matter of playing with
angles, adding more speed and getting
more leg drive. You also consider just
getting fatter to help with the
momentum.
70' - High Am A number/low pro. You were
probably a discus thrower or had someone
that knew how to throw this
thing teach you.
80'+ - People watch video of you doing
this to learn how to do it themselves.
90’+ - You make people want to quit
throwing.
|
|
56lb Weight for Distance |
Everyone's macho
until they do this event. 56# is not
heavy. 56# at the end of your arms while
you are spinning is very heavy. Same
rules and length as the 28.
20' - You probably stayed on your feet
and looked like you knew what you were
doing.
25' - A good toss. Kind of a boundary
between Amateur B and Amateur A status.
30' - A very good toss. Respectable
enough anywhere. 35' - People will
sometimes come up to you and ask you
how you did that.
40'+ - You can get drunk and talk about
how good you are at that event and no
one will question you.
|
|
56lb Weight Over Bar |
Seems simple enough.
Throw 56# (4 stone) with one hand and
release it over a bar.
10' - You finally settled most of your
timing issues. An average Am B mark.
11' - You've got some explosiveness but
still have issues with throwing straight
up and straight down again. You're
in the hunt as an Am B.
12' - Kind of the Am A/Am B crossover
point. Your height may be hindering you
here.
13' - A good mark. Nothing to be ashamed
of here.
14' - A very good mark and you
definitely have some wheels under you.
15' - You can play anywhere against
anyone.
16' - You're elite at this event and the
weight literally whips out of your hand.
17'+ - You're a freak who makes this
event look way too easy. You probably
came in at 15’
|
|
20lb Sheaf |
The heavy event’s
link to farming. Take a 20lb bag of
bailers twine and a pitchfork. Jam
pitchfork into 20lb bag. Throw bag up
over a pole-vault-like apparatus.
15' - They handed you a pitchfork and
told you to throw a 20# bag over a bar.
You thought they were kidding.
18' - You've seen this thing twice now
and it still feels funny. You may say
stuff like "What is this? The farmer
games?"
20' - You only practice this event
during competitions, but know enough not
to embarrass yourself.
24' - You might actually practice, but
you don't make it a priority. You
consider the event "a nice change of
pace". 26' - You're starting to take it
seriously now and don't come in until
22'.
28' - A serious contender, regardless of
level.
30'+ - You either spin with this thing
or you're a monstrously explosive lad.
People close to the event can hear the
bag rip when you pull. |
.jpg)