Paddy McGrath is an enigma in coaching circles. That’s because it’s not easy to find coaches, at least in the US, who in the same session, you will find teaching a beginner how to hold a hammer for the first time one moment and directing a long time protégé, American record holder & Olympian the next. But that happens where Paddy coaches, and it happens often.

Paddy was a 2000 Olympian for Ireland in the hammer throw and six time national champion for Ireland. As a coach, he has mentored 7 high school men to over 70m in the hammer. One of these throwers, Rudy Winkler, went on to break Lance Deal’s long-standing US Men’s record in the hammer throw, earning a spot on the 2021 US Olympic Team in the process. 

For a full bio on Paddy’s accomplishments click here.

Paddy and I did this interview in person, in an Irish bar in the Bronx, New York (of course… where else?).  It is easily one of the most engaging talks I’ve had with a coach friend and colleague and Paddy did not disappoint.

Topics:

French Onion Soup, Gander (Newfoundland) & what we were doing on 911, dealing with Games Environments, 2012 Games, Paddy’s background as an Irish Hammer Thrower, mentors Roman Feldman (assistant coach to Dr. B) & Harold Connolly, high school weight throw War Stories… Developing high school hammer throwers, Bob Gourley’s HS hammer list, 4 vs. 3 turns… toe vs. heel turn entry, Rudy Winkler’s progression, implement weight progressions in high school, Rudy’s technical development, Starting beginners in the hammer throw, comparing cueing notes, maximal strength in the hammer, avoiding injury, “nothing gets in the way of throwing”, learning from Russians, planning for hammer training, strength training in hammer programming, VBT, Not ‘pressing’ Rudy Winkler, Rudy’s Eugene 2021 performance, the hammer facility in Eugene, preparing for big competitions, light vs. competition vs. heavy weight hammers in training, Kevin McGill’s ‘Hammer Notes’, potential for scholarships in hammer throwing, will coaching the hammer negatively influence SP & DT technique, The Fat Bastard of SC & expectations we put on our athletes, safety in the hammer.