Field Events
Field events are among the most exciting sports in the world of athletics. They combine strength, technique, speed, grace, power, flexibility, and of course, competitiveness. And the events themselves vary greatly from one another, making for a more diverse competition.
The field events are divided into two major events, namely, the jumping events and the throwing events. These two events not only differ in skills needed, but also in the physical demands they put on the athletes. Aside from the javelin throw, most throwers in general are heavy-set, with particular strength emphasis on their upper bodies, while those in the jumping events are much leaner, like a runner or marathoner. This can be attributed to the fact that, in order to jump higher and/or longer, it would help to have a lighter body. At the same time, since most throwing events are made from inside a throwing circle, the emphasis is on the strength, power, and technique of the thrower.
Throwing events are divided into four categories. These are the:
1) Shot Put
2) Hammer Throw
3) Javelin Throw and
4) Discuss Throw, respectively.
Among the four events, the javelin throw is the only event that requires the competitor to run in order to build momentum. The other three are made from within a throwing circle.
Jumping events are divided into four categories, excluding the event which are considered uncommon. These four events are the:
1) High Jump
2) Long Jump
3) Triple Jump and
4) Pole Vault, respectively.
The high jump resembles the pole vault in the sense that the athletes compete to achieve the greatest height, while the long jump and triple jump both measures the longest horizontal distance achieved. Among the four events, the pole vault is the only one that makes use of an external instrument (the pole) in order to help the athlete achieve his goal.
