So is it a foul?

For some time, there has been a debate in the throwing community about the pivot foot in the back of the ring on rotational shot putters. Sometimes, they drop their heel down on the ring as they are pivoting out of the back to move to the center. The fundamental question is - is this a foul?

Christian Cantwell has been called for it on a couple of occasions, and at one of the world indoor meets in Spain, the American contingent went so far as to forewarn the officials that any foul call in the back of the ring would be immediately protested.

This brings us to a point of discussion. If the heel drops and the sole of the shoe is in contact with the top of the ring, then it is clearly a foul. The athlete is using the ring to push off (either actively or passively), and that is a black and white violation of the rules. It is no different than if he/she were to step on the ring at the front or side during the course of the throw.

The discussion point is the point at which they are "on" the ring. My general rule in evaluating this is that if the sole of shoe is creased or bent at the point that they are over the ring in the back, then they are indeed touching the top surface of the ring - hence, a foul. Most of the throws officials I have talked to agree with this.

How do you call it? What, if anything makes it a foul?