4 Throws, No Finals
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One of my biggest issues with high school track is 4 throws no finals. This was put in effect to save time and make things equal among everyone throwing. At least that's what I assume.
Let's go into this one a little deeper. This is suppose to save time...I took 3 random meets from Section V NYS indoor track and found an average of about 112 throwers (Girls / Guys Junior Varsity and Varsity, competed). If they were given 4 throws a piece that would be a total of 448 throws. Without that 4th throw it's 336. How is having an extra 100 throws saving any time?
Finals instead of the “4 throws” structure, is better for many reasons. The main issue that meet directors should consider is that it takes less time. A throw on average will take about minute or two for the person to throw and then to get it marked. The extra hundred throws previously mentioned adds roughly an hour and a half to a meet. Finals which include 6-8 people take no more than 45 minutes to an hour.
Second, it rewards people who are having a good day. Some of the best meets are when someone on their 6th and final throw steals first place. Ulf Timmerman winning the Seoul Olympics and Randy Barnes at the Atlanta Olympics are two examples of great finishes.
Lastly, it prepares our athletes for competition at the state and national level. Most guys get to those meets and have never been to finals before. They have no idea what to do, or how to prepare for it. It always makes me laugh when invitationals and sectionals claim that they are set up exactly like the state meet, and don't have finals. What's more frustrating, is when they have a semifinal and/or final for sprints (like 55m and 100m) at those same meets. A race, just like throws can go without a final but is better because of it. Most importantly it makes it better to watch!
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