What Is the Diameter of a Shot Put Throwing Ring?
The inside diameter of a shot put throwing circle is 7 feet, with a stopboard 4 inches high at the front of the ring; the rim is at least 1/4 inch in thickness, 2 3/4 inches to 3 inches deep and painted white. The circle’s interior is made of asphalt, concrete or any other suitable material that is firm and not slippery.
The surface of the shot put throwing ring has to be level and as much as 1 inch lower than the topmost edge of the rim. The surface of the landing area should allow for the shot put to easily mark the ground on landing. It is typically made of grass. The shot is shaped like a ball and is usually made of brass or iron. The women’s shot weighs about 8 3/4 pounds and has a diameter of 3 3/4 inches to 4 1/3 inches. The men’s shot weighs 16 pounds and has a diameter of 4 1/3 inches to 5 inches.
Shot putters are allowed to touch the inside of the ring’s rim or stopboard during an attempt, but are barred from touching the top of either the stopboard or rim. The competitor is also not allowed to touch the ground outside the ring, nor can he/she leave the ring until the shot hits the landing sector.
