Discus Throw Lay out Marking and Specification of Discus

While Throwing Discus, the athlete launches the discus from a circular area by turning around oneself for one and a half turns. The playing environment of discus throw mainly includes the following

·         Throwing circle

·         Cage

·         Landing zone

 Discuss each of them in detail.

Discus Throw – Field Layout Design

The following diagram shows the typical structure of a discus throw Sector environment

Discus Throw – Throwing Circle

Also called Discus Circle, it is the area within which the athlete needs to take a start and complete the throw. It is made of iron, steel or other suitable material such as hard rubber sheet. The top of this circle is aligned horizontally with the ground outside the circle.

The measurements of throwing circle are as follows −

·         Inside diameter = 2.50m (±5mm)

·         The throwing circle rim = at least 6mm thick, and 70mm to 80mm deep.

The rim is always painted white for the purpose of demarcation. The interior of the throwing circle is made of concrete or some non-slippery material. The surface of the throwing circle is even and 1.4cm – 2.6cm lower than the rim of the circle.

 

The discus shall conform to the following specifications: Minimum weight for admission to competition and acceptance of a Record

	1.000kg	1.500kg	1.750kg	2.000kg
Outside diameter of metal rim:
Minimum	180mm	200mm	210mm	219mm
Maximum	182mm	202mm	212mm	221mm
Diameter of metal plate or flat centre area:
Minimum	50mm	50mm	50mm	50mm
Maximum	57mm	57mm	57mm	57mm
Thickness of metal plate or flat centre area:
Minimum	37mm	38mm	41mm	44mm
Maximum	39mm	40mm	43mm	46mm
Thickness of metal rim (6mm from edge):
Minimum	12mm	12mm	12mm	12mm
Maximum	13mm	13mm	13mm	13mm

 

Discus Throw – Cage

The U shaped cage offers protection for the viewers. It is designed and manufactured such that it can take the load of misthrow of the discus of 2Kg flying at the speed up to 25m per second. Any strong material that offers protection for the player from rebounding the discus can be used for the cage.

Generally, the netting of cage is constructed from synthetic fibers or steel wire of moderately high tensity.

The cage measurements are −

·         Width of the mouth is 6m

·         Height = 4m

Mouth of the cage is positioned 7m in front of the center of the throwing circle.

Discus Throw – Landing Zone

The landing zone (also called landing sector) is where the discus arrives after the player throws it. The landing zone’s surface must be capable of taking the impression of the discus upon its landing. It is made of natural grass or other suitable material without any bumps.

The landing zone is laid at an angle of 34.92° with respect to the middle of the throwing circle. It is marked by 50mm wide white lines. The landing zone is 80m long.