Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. The scottish highland games contain two weight throwing events. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 pound 4 stone weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. The implement weights between 21lbs and 56lbs and is thrown with one hand overhead for maximum height. In effect a thrower uses one hand not two hands as is done in the olympics to throw a 28 pound ball as far as possible. Throwing the weight is considered by many to be the most graceful of all the heavy events in a scottish highland games.
The tosser picks up the ball and gets it swinging. In the other event the 56lb weight gets thrown over a bar for height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores. The ball is attached to an 18 inch long chain and fitted with a handle. The athlete is given up to three attempts at each height and is still in the competition until he misses three attempts and is scored on the last successful height cleared. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height.
In the one event the weight 28lb or 56lb is thrown in a similar manner to a discus. Weight for height is one of the greatest tests of explosive power in heavy events. Scottish hammer throw this event is similar to the hammer throw as seen in modern day track and field competitions. In the scottish event a round metal ball weighing 16 or 22 lb for the men or 12 or 16 lb for women is attached to the end of a wooden or other solid material shaft about 4 feet in length.
Gallery of Weight For Height Scottish Games
