Hammer Throw - Rules

An athlete has to abide by the following rules while performing in a Hammer Throw competition −

• Before the starting of preliminary swinging, an athlete is allowed to put the head of hammer either inside or outside the circle.

• It is not a foul if before the starting of preliminary swing, the thrower puts his hammer on ground but if after preliminary swing, the head of the hammer touches ground or the hammer is dropped by the athlete, then it will be counted as a foul.

• While being in the air, if the hammer breaks then it will not be counted as foul, provided the athlete has played under correct rules and regulations.

Rules about Hammer

A hammer consists of the following three parts: Metal head, Wire, and Grip.

• The head of the hammer should be made up of solid material like iron and it should be spherical in shape. The diameter should be 110 mm for men and 95 mm for women.

• Filling is allowed and should be done in such a manner that it will be immovable and the centre of gravity will not be more than 6 mm from the centre of the sphere.

• Wire that is going to be used over here will be single and unbroken type having a minimum diameter of 3mm. It should not stretch more while being in air. The wire can be lobbed to the either ends of the hammer.

• Construction of the grip can be either single or double loop type but it should be rigid and should not have any hinging joints at both the sides.

• The grip should be attached to the wire in such a manner that it cannot be turned within the loop of the wire.

• Measurement of the hammer should be done from the inside of the grip.

• To ensure the safety of the spectators, the performance should be carried out inside an empty cage.