Shot put

The shot put involves ‘putting’ (throwing in a pushing motion) a heavy metal ball (called the shot) as far as possible. The shot put facility includes a throwing circle, a stop-board and a landing sector. Competitors take their throw from inside a circle 2.135m in diameter, with a toe board approximately 10cm high at the front of the circle. The distance thrown is measured from the inside of the circumference of the circle to where the shot lands at its nearest disturbance of the soil.

The throwing circle is made of bank iron, steel or other suitable material, the top of which is flush with the ground outside. The inside diameter of the throwing circle measures 2.135m (±5mm) and the rim at least 6mm in thickness, 70mm to 80mm deep and painted white.

The interior of the circle is constructed of concrete, asphalt or some other firm but not slippery material. The surface must be level and 1.4cm–2.6cm lower than the upper edge of the rim of the circle. A portable circle meeting these specifications is permissible.

The stop board is white and made of wood or other suitable material in the shape of an arc so that the inner edge coincides with the inner edge of the rim of the circle. It is placed mid-way between the sector lines, and constructed so that it can be firmly fixed to the ground. The board is 1.22m long on the inside, 11.2cm wide and 10cm high when firmly in position.

The surface of the landing sector must allow for the shot put to make a mark upon landing. It is made of natural grass or other suitable material. The landing sector must be laid from the middle of the circle with an angle of 34.92° and marked by 50mm wide white lines, the inside edges of which form the boundary of the sector. The length of the sector is 25m. The angle of 34.92° is attained if the two sector lines at a distance of 25m are spaced 15m apart.

The maximum allowance for the overall downward inclination of the landing sector, in the throwing direction, shall not exceed 0.1 per cent.