One of the most fun activities that you may never get to try is throwing javelin. If you leave high school without ever having thrown a long metal spear, you will probably never do so in your life. Track and Field at the high school level is the only opportunity unless you plan on going pro or joining at the college level, and both are equally unrealistic unless you have astounding natural talent.

“Why should I throw javelin?” You may ask. The answer is that, when your mid-life crisis strikes, you can look back and tell yourself that you have lived a little. Also, why not? If your excuse is that you are non-athletic or lazy, javelin is fun and one of the less physically intensive sports at Ashland High School. Another reason to join the throwing team is to take advantage of the opportunity that only 32% of Americans–Oregonians included–are endowed with. This article is about how to throw.

1. First, you have to have access to a runway, javelins, and a large grassy area (usually void of people, unless you would enjoy going to prison for voluntary manslaughter!).

2. To get that access, you might talk to Eric Wolf, throwing coach about giving throwing a shot.

3. Once you get out to the field, you have to be properly stretched out to throw safely and without hurting yourself. To throw right, you need to stretch your shoulders, upper arms, and entire back.

4. After you stretch out, it’s time to warm up. Start with some hard two hand throws over your head then slowly start throwing it farther and farther in front of you. Do this about five times. Finally, you’re ready to start and actual javelin throw (for this how-to, I’ll use instructions for a right handed thrower, if you throw lefty, just switch the words left and right).

5. Start with your left shoulder pointed in the direction you want to throw then extend your javelin hand as far back as possible. Keep your arm straight and start to take a natural throwing motion above your head and fire the javelin down at the ground ten feet in front of your feet. Repeat five times.

6. Once you have properly gotten yourself warm, go to the runway for your first throws. Line up about 10 feet from the end of the runway in the position previously described in step five. At the start of your throw, sidestep with your left foot and plant it, then hop on to your right foot, plant it, and throw.

7. You have successfully taken the steps to throwing a javelin. It will take time to get better, but if you stick with it, you can become successful.