Youth programs, middle schools, high schools, colleges and athletic asssociations around the world utilize the turbojav as a throwing implement to develop proper throwing mechanics for football, baseball and track and field athletes. Developed by Tom Petranoff, former world record holder in the javelin, the turbojav is a smaller more versatile and safer version of the javelin event. Although use of the turbo javelin is widespread, correct turbojav form and mechanics remain complicated and misunderstood. Mastering the turbojav throw requires proper instruction and practice.
Step 1
Find an appropriate area to throw the turbojav: against a wall indoors, or if you are looking to measure your progress, in a space with at least 30 feet of landing area, depending on how far you throw and will throw your turbojav.
Step 2
Throw from a line or mark from which you will measure how far you throw, if desired. If no lines or natural lines exist in your throwing area, mark your own with tape or chalk.
Step 3
Stand sideways to the mark, left foot adjacent to the line, with feet shoulder-width apart. Face your body and shoulders sideways to the landing area as well, while facing your head straight forward to the landing area.
Step 4
Make a "bunny ears" with your first and middle fingers of your right hand. Place the turbojav in between these fingers two-thirds of the way up the shaft just behind the grip. Wrap your remaining fingers, ring, pinky and thumb around the javelin grip as if holding a pencil.
Step 5
Raise your left arm as a guide, pointing into the landing area. Bring your right hand, holding the javelin, straight up just above head height, palm facing upward, javelin at a 90-degree angle to the ground. Bring your right hand back as if throwing a football--the point of the javelin should now be at eye level and also adjacent to the eye.
Step 6
Keep your weight on your right foot as you take a left-foot step in place, with your left foot turning so that your toes are facing the landing area while also maintaining your position behind the line or mark. The motion begins with the lift and turn of your right heel, followed by your ankle, leg, hip drive forward, core, then finally your shoulder, elbow and hand holding the javelin, until the javelin is released. Upon release, bring your left arm in sharply to stop your momentum from moving forward.
Step 7
Allow your right shoulder to come forward, followed by your elbow in a follow-through motion by your right side. The finish should be a natural, fluid movement.
Tips and Warnings
- Reverse the right and left commands for left-handed throwers. When training for football or other sports, change your grip to be more like that of gripping a football, thumb on one side, all fingers on the other. Check your throw by the way the javelin lands; the tip landing before the body of the javelin indicates a correct throw.
- Never throw in cold weather below 32 degrees F. Turbo javs are made to be thrown in 50 degrees plus and on soft surfaces like grass. They can be thrown on hard surfaces like gym floors but will not last as long as when used on grass or dirt fields.
Member Comments