Javelin Throw – Rules

Knowledge of throwing techniques well help you emerge as a winner in a competition. You must also be aware with various rules of a match else you will earn a penalty even after your best throw. So here are some of the important rules.

• Holding the javelin must be done at the grip part and should always be maintained above the shoulder level.

• For valid throw, the javelin must lie before the specified zone and its tip should hit the ground.

• There is a special marking line on the runway within which the athlete needs to throw.

• The athlete should not leave the ground until the javelin lands on the ground.

• After the throwing action has been made, the thrower should not turn back towards the pointing direction, until it lands.

• The number of throws allowed per athlete is same as that of the discus throw.

• Once the competition has started, the athletes cannot use the perimeter for practise purpose.

• Using any device that may assist the thrower in throwing is strictly prohibited. For example, tapping of fingers are not allowed unless there is a wound.

• The throw will be considered as a foul in the following cases −

  • Improper throw of the javelin in the attempt.
  • Demarking of the line with any body part.
  • Player going out of the marking line while throwing
  • The tip of the javelin lies outside the edges of the landing sector.

• The time is increased to 1 minute if there are 2-3 number of competitors. In case only one competitor is left, time is increased to 2 minutes.