Hafsteinsson drives home hard message at Throws Masterclass
Despite persistent torrential rain, there was a huge turnout for the Throws Masterclass with Vesteinn Hafsteinsson at Blackrock College last weekend. The Icelandic coaching legend who has coached athletes to over 20 major medals kept the audience of coaches and athletes enthralled over the 2 days.
He focused on the solid principles of throwing the Discus and Shot Put (Rotational). Everyone went away with a very clear picture regarding Hafsteinsson’s four key points – 1. A short simple backswing, 2. Left axis concentration, 3. Hitting the middle of the circle ‘square’ and 4. Getting the left leg down. Lots of drills were demonstrated to encourage athletes to achieve these points.
Hafsteinsson used examples of athletes that he currently coaches – Daniel Stahl and Simon Pettersson to show the progress that can be made with hard work. His experience is that athletes are constantly whinging about lack of money, lack of time, lack of facilities etc – but he doesn’t buy it. These are just excuses for not working hard enough and getting the right advice. He doesn’t pretend that it’s easy to be a good international level athlete – but that it’s possible if you want it and follow a tried and tested training formula like the one he has developed over the last 15-20 years.
