What shot-put shots are best for men, women and kids?
The shot put has been an Olympic track and field event since Athens, Greece, in 1896. The shot is a heavy metal ball about the size of a grapefruit, and the goal is to hurl it as far as possible with an action that looks more like shoving than throwing. In the Olympic Games, the regulation weights of these small cannonballs are 16 pounds for men and 8.8 pounds for women. In middle school, high school and college events, the shots are lighter.
Shot-put shots come in different diameters
Generally speaking, the larger the better, because when a shot is too small, you’re likely to throw it like a ball rather than use the proper technique. When a shot is too big, though, it will slip in your hand. Don’t overlook the importance of shoes made specifically for men’s and women’s track and field events.
Measure your grip
The correct diameter for you is the one where the shot rests on the pad of your palm and your fingers are in the proper throwing position. Those with shorter fingers prefer shots with smaller diameters and those with longer fingers need larger ones. As athletes grow, their hands get bigger and they need shots with progressively larger circumferences to maintain optimum contact areas and push zones.
Materials
Cast iron: Despite its strength, it slowly chips away over time. The pitted areas will rust and scrape your neck and hands unless they’re coated with something.
Brass: Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc. As a shot material, it is soft enough to dent but too smooth for some to get a good grip.
Stainless steel: It is very expensive and, like brass, too smooth for maximum performance and too easy to dent.
Weights
Shots come in weights from 6-20 pounds. The three regulation weights used most often by shot putters are the easiest sizes to find. When training, shot putters often use heavier shots than the ones they use in competition.
6 pounds: These are made for children and smaller people.
8.8 pounds: This is the size used by women’s Olympic and U.S. National shot putters.
16 pounds: This is the standard weight for Olympic and U.S. National men’s teams.
How to put a shot
Hold the shot at the base of your fingers in your dominant hand.
Rest the shot where your neck and jawline meet.
Coil your body as you turn your back to the target.
Bend your hips and knees.
Thrust your body toward the target as you uncoil it.
Push the shot away from your neck in a single, uninterrupted motion, using your entire body.
Best shots for use in the shot put
Best shot for beginners
Nelco Scholastic 6-Pound Iron Shot
What you need to know: This budget-friendly option is a great choice for those just getting started with shot putting.
What you’ll love: This unisex shot is primarily intended for younger, smaller shot putters but can be used by all ages and athletic abilities.
What you should consider: The 3.66-inch diameter is for smaller hands.
Best shot for high school sports
What you need to know: This shot is regulation-size for high school track-and-field events.
What you’ll love: It’s precision-made to a 100-millimeter diameter. It is balanced for optimum performance, extremely durable and is a bestseller on Amazon.
What you should consider: Some complained about its packaging.
Best shot for men
Gill Athletics Cast Iron 16-Pound Shot
What you need to know: This 16-pound shot is the size used by Olympic male shot putters.
What you’ll love: It has an official weight stamp engraved in it and comes in weights from 6 to 20 pounds for training and building strength.
What you should consider: Sooner or later, the paint chips and peels.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/05/find-the-best-shot-put-shots-for-your-next-competition/
