What is the major problem with US hammer throwing or US throwing in general?
Bondarchuk: The system of technique and strength has not changed in hammer, discus or shot for 20-30 years. In 1972 my technique was as good or better than some top US hammer throwers today. That was 36 years ago. The US is always thinking about maximum strength. Until the US realizes the research of special and dynamic strength, there will be minimal hammer throwers over 80 meters. After 1975 in Europe the average athlete no longer used a full squat, only quarter squats. Maybe the US is too influenced by bodybuilding and power lifting which takes their focus away from special strength. The US has not progressed technically in 40-50 years with the hammer. Very little progress since Hal Connolly, outside of maybe Deal but even Deal did not have near the technique he could have achieved. Why has the US had such success with the shot and not the hammer? Bondarchuk: The US shot putters all have excellent transfers with their technique. Nelson, Hoffa and Cantwell all have excellent transfer
