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1. FootballNeed I say more? Fall season is football season. A word to the wise, and skinny, we big guys will corner you and regale you with stories about some massive pancake block that won the game, the one time we picked up a fumble and took it to the house, and act out the time we used our cat-like reflexes to tip and catch a ball at the line of scrimmage. In short, our stories can be summarized into these four categories. - We were the star linemen in high school, and would have played quarterback but the coach...

The heavy events are all all about timing; finishing a throw in the stone, sprinting to the front of the trig in the weights, accelerating the ball in the hammer, and oh so much more. But, probably the second most annoying thing overheard during competition to, "you had the height," is, "you pulled late." So, how do we know when or even how to finish the pull on the caber toss? Honestly, it comes down to timing and a few principles to remember. We'll dive into that more soon. We've  already gone over the "pick," carry and approach, so let's...

If you’re undertaking any new sport, you’re gonna need a few things; the same goes for the Highland Games. And, by a “few things,” I mean and whole bag or box full of stuff!  So, what do throwers pack into their huge roller bags or oversized tool boxes? Here’s a list of things I think you should consider getting as a Highland Games athlete (let’s use that word instead of “thrower,” as it makes us sound so much more svelte). Bag or Box  - I currently use a paint ball bag (thanks, Ryan Stewart, for the suggestion). This thing is...

The Betz Slam Drill. I named it this because that’s who taught it to me – Sean Betz. For those of you who didn’t get the opportunity to throw with Sean, or even watch him throw, you missed out on one of the truly great American throwers in history. I could regale of stories about Sean and his throwing prowess, but that’s for another day. Today, we address the hammer drill he showed me years ago. So, when you’re throwing the light or heavy hammer, it’s hard to warm up. At a competition, you’re not allowed to throw the hammer...

Going to your first Highland Games can be an overwhelming experience. Proper attire, acceptable gear, travel, and let’s not forget you’ve got eight or nine events to compete in! In the whirlwind of the day, it’s good to have a basis of etiquette so you can enjoy the experience and mind your manners! Yet, I see too many seasoned veterans forgetting the very basics of etiquette in this sport; so, let me break down a few things you should know about “Games Day.” “Shag” or pick up your own implements – At most competitions, you’ll need to retrieve your own...