6 Best Heavy Shot Puts For Teens That Help Perfect Throwing Form

Your teen comes home from track practice, a little frustrated. They’re strong, they’re dedicated, but their shot put distance has hit a plateau. You can see them trying to force the throw, using all arm and losing the powerful technique their coach talks about. It’s a common hurdle, and as a parent, you want to find a way to help them break through without just saying "try harder."

Choosing Heavier Weights for Form Development

You’ve probably heard the coach mention "heavy throws" or "overweight implements." This isn’t about trying to throw a super heavy ball for distance. It’s a powerful training secret. The entire purpose of using a shot put that’s heavier than competition weight is to slow the movement down.

Think of it like a musician practicing a difficult piece at a snail’s pace to get the fingering just right. The extra weight forces your teen to use their entire body—their legs, hips, and core—in the correct sequence. It makes it nearly impossible to "muscle" the throw with just their arm. This process builds neuromuscular connections, literally teaching the body the feel of a proper, powerful throw from the ground up.

This is a tool for refinement, not for measuring distance. The goal is to take a few throws with the heavy implement to lock in the form, then switch back to the competition weight. When they do, the competition shot will feel light, fast, and explosive, and the new, correct muscle memory will be there to guide it.

Gill Athletics Turn-Master for Glide Technique

Is your teen a "glider"? That’s the classic shot put technique that looks like a powerful slide across the ring. If that’s their focus, the Gill Athletics Turn-Master can be a fantastic training partner. This implement is often designed to feel compact in the hand, even at a heavier weight, which helps maintain a secure grip.

The real magic is how it refines the glide itself. The added weight of the Turn-Master demands a more patient and powerful drive from the back of the circle. It discourages a common teen mistake: rushing the movement and getting their upper body ahead of their legs. This shot forces them to stay back, build momentum, and unleash their power at the perfect moment. It helps them feel the connection between their leg drive and the final release.

Nelco Challenger for Consistent Training Feel

Consistency is the bedrock of any great athletic skill. When your teen is switching between their regular shot and a heavier training one, you want the transition to be as seamless as possible. The Nelco Challenger line is well-regarded for its remarkable consistency in size and finish across different weights.

This might seem like a small detail, but it matters. If the heavy shot has a different texture or a slightly larger diameter than their competition one, it creates a small mental and physical adjustment every time they switch. A Nelco helps eliminate that variable. The only thing their body has to adjust to is the weight, allowing the form corrections to transfer more cleanly and effectively when they go back to their competition implement.

VS Athletics Power Max for Strength Building

Sometimes, the goal is pure, unadulterated strength. The VS Athletics Power Max is the no-frills workhorse for this job. It’s a straightforward, durable shot put designed for one primary purpose: to build sport-specific power. This is the tool for the athlete who has the basic form down but needs to develop the explosive force to take it to the next level.

Using the Power Max in controlled drills and standing throws acts as a form of resistance training, strengthening the exact muscle groups needed for the shot put. The psychological benefit is huge, too. After working with a heavier Power Max, the competition-weight shot feels noticeably lighter. This builds confidence and allows your teen to focus on speed and explosiveness, knowing they have the strength to back it up.

Port a Pit Machined Steel for Durability

Let’s be practical: shot puts are designed to be thrown, and they often land on rough surfaces. You want equipment that can withstand the rigors of daily practice without you worrying about it chipping or breaking. The Port a Pit Machined Steel shot put is an investment in durability. It’s built to last.

This is the "buy it once" option. For families with multiple kids in athletics, this is a piece of equipment that can easily become a hand-me-down. Even if your teen’s interest wanes, a quality machined steel shot holds its value far better than a basic cast iron one. Choosing a durable option like this respects your budget in the long run by avoiding the need to replace gear season after season.

Amber Competition Iron for a Balanced Throw

How a shot put feels is incredibly important. If it’s poorly balanced or has a rough finish, it can be a constant distraction from the complex mechanics of the throw. The Amber Competition Iron shot is known for its excellent balance and smooth, uniform finish, making it comfortable to hold against the neck in the starting position.

This comfort isn’t about coddling your athlete; it’s about removing obstacles to their focus. A well-balanced heavy shot encourages proper posture and helps them maintain a solid connection between the implement and their body throughout the throw. When the tool feels like a natural extension of the athlete, they can concentrate fully on what matters: their technique.

Champion Sports Rhino Steel for an Accessible Option

Your teen is excited about track and field, but are they "invest in top-tier equipment" excited? It’s a question every parent asks. The Champion Sports Rhino Steel shot put is the perfect answer for that "let’s see where this goes" stage. It provides the benefits of heavy training at a very accessible price point.

This is a smart choice for the multi-sport athlete who might only focus on track for one season a year, or for the family that wants to support their child’s development without a major financial commitment. It allows your teen to explore the benefits of overload training and see if it clicks for them. It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to provide them with a valuable training tool.

Safely Integrating Heavy Throws Into Practice

Before you purchase anything, the most important step is to talk to the coach. Using a heavier shot put is a specific training method that needs to be integrated into a larger plan. It is not meant for throwing for maximum distance, which can put undue stress on a young athlete’s joints.

Here is a simple framework for using a heavy shot safely and effectively:

• Weight Selection: The coach will typically recommend a shot that is 1kg to 2kg (about 2-4 lbs) heavier than the athlete’s competition weight.
• Low Volume: Heavy throws should make up a small percentage of total throws in a practice. We’re talking about 5-10 throws per session, not 30.
• Focus on Drills: These are best used for standing throws or short, controlled drills like "A-drills." The goal is to feel the movement, not to launch the implement.

Think of a heavy shot as a specialized tool, like a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. Used correctly and under a coach’s guidance, it can carve out beautiful, efficient technique. Used improperly, it can cause frustration and potential injury. Your role is to provide the tool; the coach’s role is to provide the plan.

Investing in a training shot put isn’t just about buying a heavier piece of metal. It’s about giving your teen a tool to feel their own progress, to understand the mechanics of their sport on a deeper level, and to build the confidence that comes from mastering a difficult skill. That’s a powerful throw, no matter the distance.