What Are the Games?

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The heavy athletics consist of nine events in three different categories: distance events, height events, and caber.  The distance events consist of two stone puts, two weights for distance, and two Scottish hammers.  The height events are the weight over bar and sheaf toss.  The caber is its own event. 

A game consists of at least five events, and if only five events are contested, then no two events may be of the same type (i.e. only one stone, hammer, or WFD).  Detailed rules for the games and the specific events can be found at NASGA.

Karla putting the stone At the Quad Cities Games 2005Stone Puts

There are two different types of stone puts: the Braemar stone and the open stone.

The Braemar stone is heavier, ranging 20-26 lbs. for men and 13-18 lbs. for women.  It is thrown without approach

The open stone ranges is weight from 16-22 lbs. for men and 8 to 12 lbs. for women.  The athlete is allowed a 7'6" approach to the trig using any style as long as the rules for staying inside the throwing area.  This event is the precursor to the modern shot put event, but is more difficult due to the inconsistent nature stones.

 

 

Weights for Distance (WFD)

Unlike the stone puts, the weights for distance are performed the same way.  Only the weight of the implement changes.  There is the heavy, 56 lbs. for men and 28 lb. for women, and the light, which is 28 for men and 14 for women.  The maximum length of the implement is 18".  The thrower is allowed a 9' approach to the trig.  The most common technique is a two spin approach, but one spin, or even no spin, isn't  uncommon.

 

 

Dennis throwing the heavy hammer at practice in April of 2007Scottish Hammer

Like the WFD, the Scottish hammer events are performed the same way with only the weights differing.  The hammer is a weight on the end of a rigid handle, which is typically PVC conduit.  Rattan and metal can also be used, but the less flexible the handle, the harder it is to throw.  Athlete's are allowed and typically will use some form of adhesive to allow for a better grip while minimizing the surface area of hand touching the handle.  Also differing from the modern track & field hammer, the hammer is thrown from a stationary position with the athlete's back facing the impact area.  The hammer can be no longer than 50".

 

 

Jason at Bristol Ren Faire 2005Weight over Bar (WOB)

Does throwing a car battery over your head sound like a bad idea?  If not, then you'll love this event.  The same heavy weight as used for HWFD, though usually shorter, is thrown for height.  The weight must go over the bar to be considered a successful attempt, even if touches the bar.  However, some games use a knock-off bar, which will render a throw unsuccessful if the bar falls off.

There are two different techniques that commonly used.  One way is to stand beneath the bar, get some momentum on the weight, then pull straight up.  The second technique involves starting a ways away from the bar and spinning with a high cast at the end.  Either way is legal unless the athletic director specifically prohibits a particular method.

 

 

 

 

Josh psyching up for sheaf at the Madison BBQ 2006Sheaf Toss

Originally and Irish event, the sheaf toss became part of the highland games when it was introduced at the Grandfather Mountain Games in the 1960's.  The sheaf is a burlap sack stuffed with twine that is thrown for height using a pitchfork.  The pitchfork must be commercially produced, though may be modified by removing of tines or shortening the handle.  It is also noteworthy that the NASGA rule state the fork must a minimum of 2 tines, eastern and southern games often rule that a 3-tine fork is required.

There are light and heavy variations of this event, with men throwing either a 16 or 20 lb. bag and women throwing either a 10 or a 12 pounder.  I have no idea if this is true, but I was told that the 20 lb. bag came about because athletes were starting to throw  the 16 lb. sheaf higher than the vertical uprights could accomodate.

 

Margaret running with the caber at Bristol Ren Faire 2006Caber Toss

The caber, which is Gaelic for pole, is the signature event of the highland games.  Most people who have never heard of the games have heard of this event.  The caber dimensions are highly variable, but will typically run between 70-140 lbs. and 15-20' long for men, with a taper.  Womens' cabers are generally much shorter and lighter.  This event is the only one contested for accuracy, as the objective is to flip the log end over end, with the narrow end (the one the athlete picks it up by) landing away from the thrower.  If a caber is flipped, then the throw is judged by clock hour from 9 to 3, with a 12 o'clock being a perfect toss.  If the caber isn't flipped, then a side judge assess the angle the narrow end reached.