Goals - Post 'em if ya got 'em

**Yaish** · 20th May 08, 06:14 PM

SAAA (Scottish American Athletic Association) has a pretty good 'move up' guideline posted.
http://www.saaa-net.org/old%20site/saaa_moveup.htm

For a first timer, try to get somewhere close to the C class numbers. A few feet short is no big deal, but you probably want to be around 75-80% of whatever they are throwing.

For a C/Novice you would probably want to throw around these numbers:

Braemar 24ft

Open 27ft

HWD 18ft

LWD 35f

Heavy Hammer 50ft

Light Hammer 60ft

WOB 10ft

Don't get discouraged if you aren't hitting those numbers, or even getting close right away. Those are actually pretty competitive numbers in most C competitions, so it's a goal to work towards, not a minimum standard to meet.

**Ayin McFye** · 17th June 08, 08:02 AM

Well Arizona Scot and I got together yesterday to throw some weight around. This was only my 2nd week of practice and Arizona Scot's 4th I believe. I am so grateful to him, because I am absolutely addicted now. I felt really good about my stone throws and decent about my Weight for distances, we didn't do the heavy hammer last night but we did do the light hammer. My best throw was about 53 feet, which was surprising because it was my last throw of the night and I was exhausted. I know I have lots to work on, especially form. Here are a rough estimate of my throws last night give or take a few inches and my goals that I'd like to hit by next month.

Braemar 20 Feet [would like to hit 23 feet]

Open 29 Feet [would like to hit 35 feet]

HWD 20 Feet [would like to hit 23 feet]

LWD 28 Feet [would like to hit 35 feet]

Heavy Hammer N/A

Light Hammer 53 Feet [would like to hit minimum 60 feet]

WOB ??? (I threw this once last night, and we didn't have a measure but it was pretty horrible) [keep practicing for now]

Speaking of practing how often do you all practice?

**Ayin McFye** · 17th June 08, 08:03 AM

P.S. Next week I want to actually start writing down the exact distances, but for right now I'm just trying to get used to the technique.

**Ryan Nielson** · 17th June 08, 09:50 AM

I have my next competition in september here are my goals and I think they are reachable I want to be hitting all the recommended c to b numbers from this chart here http://www.saaa-net.org/old%20site/saaa_moveup.htm

Right now I'm focusing on WFD and Braemar stones getting those up. Need to make major improvement on those WOB is already at 11 or 12 feet. And i'm not too far off on hammer throws I think they are reachable. I want to be very well rounded and not have strong weaknesses.

**Alan H** · 17th June 08, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Ryan Nielson

I have my next competition in september here are my goals and I think they are reachable I want to be hitting all the recommended c to b numbers from this chart here http://www.saaa-net.org/old%20site/saaa_moveup.htm

Right now I'm focusing on WFD and Braemar stones getting those up. Need to make major improvement on those WOB is already at 11 or 12 feet. And i'm not too far off on hammer throws I think they are reachable. I want to be very well rounded and not have strong weaknesses.

Until recently I've been kind of a one-trick pony, myself....hammers. Now it's more like I've got several tricks, but I just *STINK* at stones.

gonna get out for a practice tonight, with light weights.

**Yaish** · 17th June 08, 06:22 PM

For the note on practice, I try to practice weekly, or at least several times monthly. I'd do more if I could swing it but finding time for even that is becoming tough.

When working on weaknesses, remember how the events are scored. You get a point for each place, so a 1st place finish gives you one point, a 9th place finish gives you 9 points. Lowest point total overall wins the aggregate event. In the strategy of the games working on your worst event will probably pay off more than trying to improve your best event.

For example, I know that with my stones I am going to be top three. I could improve them a little, but odds are I will still be top three depending on the field. First place by an inch or by two feet still gives only one point.
Now my worst event by far is my WFD. I usually come in somewhere around 5th in those depending on the field, yet even a small improvement could see me placing top three. If I can get those numbers up I can go from a 5 point showing to maybe a two point showing, shaving three points off my total score. A similar improvement in stones might net me only a one or two point reduction.

If placing is a concern to you, practice your best event just enough to stay in touch with it but work on your weakest events the most. By getting all your scores consistent you'll end up much better off over all.

**Ryan Nielson** · 18th June 08, 07:21 AM

yeah that's my thinking as well. Actually I am so obsessed I practiced WFD and Breamar stone 3 times yesterday once in morning, once on lunch break and once after work for about 30 minutes each time. My body took a beating from it though. Just a few blocks from where I work is the practice field so it's real convenient for me to do that. I had one WFD throw that went at about 38 feet yesterday so I'm slowly getting it. My goal is about 45 feet with the 28lb. implement. On things like WOB, Sheaf and caber I feel I don't need more than maybe once every 3 weeks to stay familiar with it.

Originally Posted by Yaish

For the note on practice, I try to practice weekly, or at least several times monthly. I'd do more if I could swing it but finding time for even that is becoming tough.

When working on weaknesses, remember how the events are scored. You get a point for each place, so a 1st place finish gives you one point, a 9th place finish gives you 9 points. Lowest point total overall wins the aggregate event. In the strategy of the games working on your worst event will probably pay off more than trying to improve your best event.

For example, I know that with my stones I am going to be top three. I could improve them a little, but odds are I will still be top three depending on the field. First place by an inch or by two feet still gives only one point.
Now my worst event by far is my WFD. I usually come in somewhere around 5th in those depending on the field, yet even a small improvement could see me placing top three. If I can get those numbers up I can go from a 5 point showing to maybe a two point showing, shaving three points off my total score. A similar improvement in stones might net me only a one or two point reduction.

If placing is a concern to you, practice your best event just enough to stay in touch with it but work on your weakest events the most. By getting all your scores consistent you'll end up much better off over all.