It’s important you know how to hold the shot correctly, not only because you want to avoid being ‘fouled’ by an official for releasing it improperly, but also because holding the shot correctly will allow you to get more distance!
The rules about how the shot is to be released are quite detailed, but you can’t go wrong if you hold the shot as recommended below.
- When placing the shot in your hand you should feel the weight of the shot at the base of your fingers, not in the palm of your hand.
- Raise the shot to your neck, rest the shot on your collar bone underneath your jaw bone, and press the shot firmly with your index, middle and ring fingers against your neck. The little finger doesn’t need to get involved, and the thumb is just there for support if you need it. The elbow is at shoulder height or just a little below shoulder height (not too high, not too low). Everyone is built a little differently, but take the time to find a reasonably comfortable position.
Common errors:
- Lifting up the shot so it is close to or event touching the ear. This is making things a lot more difficult than is necessary.
- Feeling the weight of the shot in the palm of the hand. This means you will push the shot out with the palm of your hand instead of giving the shot a good ‘flick’ with the fingers, which means the shot won’t fly as far.
- Elbow too low or too high. Either of these elbow positions make it impossible to use your arm muscles efficiently to push out the shot at a good angle.
Watch the video below for some good examples: