PUTTING THE SHOT, the modern form of stone putting, practised at the Irish Tailteann Games, began 1829 B.C. The adop tion of a shot in preference to a heavy stone was suggested by the use of such a missile at military sports meetings which had access to an assortment of cannon-balls. The weight of the shot was first stabilized at 16 lb. at Dublin university sports in 186o, but a 14 lb. missile continued in use. The 16 lb. implement was known as a "weight," and the 14 lb. implement as a "stone." It is an event at which Irish athletes for many years were supreme, and in which the big man has an advantage. Ralph Rose, U.S. whose 1909 world's record of 51 ft. stood until 1928, stood 6 ft. 51 in. and weighed 28o lb. J. Torrance, U.S.A., holding the world's record of 57 ft. I in., is as tall and weighs about 33o lb. Other records are: Olympic, H. Woellke, Germany, 53 ft. 14 in., U.S.A., J. Torrance, 55 ft. 5 in.; English, R. L. Howland, 47 ft. 81 in.
For many years this event was practised from a 7ft. square, the distance being measured from the first pitch of the shot to the front line of the square, or that line produced. Latterly, however, the square has been replaced by a 7ft. ring with a stop-board on the front half, the distance being measured from the pitch of the shot to the nearest point on the circle. The shot must be put from the shoulder with one hand only, without ever being brought behind the shoulder, and in which no part of the person of the competitor touches the top of the stop-board, the circle, or the ground outside the circle until the shot has touched the ground. The competitor may not leave the circle until his put has been marked, and he must then, from a standing position, leave the circle from the rear half.
The athlete, preparatory to making an attempt, takes up his position at the back of the circle. His weight is borne by his right leg. The shot is held on the centre joints of the fingers. The weight resting mainly upon the base of the middle two fingers; the thumb and little finger support the shot at either side. The shot is held close to the neck in the hollow of the shoulder, with the elbow turned outward; the left foot, pointed forward, with toes resting on the ground, is separated from the right by some i8in. to 24in. The left foot is raised, the left leg is swung behind the right and is then kicked forward and up. At the same time the athlete hops, or glides, forward on his right foot so that it lands at the centre of the circle a fraction of a second before the left foot reaches the ground. During the glide the body is bent from the hips to the side of the hand holding the shot. As the feet take the ground the action is continued without any pause, but the body being fully extended. The drive comes from both legs, and the final effort is continued by the putting arm, and the wrist and fingers impart a final "flick" to the shot. The left leg provides a point of resistance. There must be a good follow through. After the shot has left the hand the position of the feet is quickly reversed, to help the athlete to retain his balance.
See F. A. M. Webster, Athletes in Action (1931); Why—The Science of Athletics (1936) ; Lawson Robertson, Modern Athletics (1932); Webster and Heys, Exercises for Athletes (1932) ; Athletic Training for Men and Boys (1933). (F. A. M. W.)