Teaching Athletics - The Throws

The other day, I observed a very interesting approach toward teaching the throws (discus, shot put, etc.) within an Athletics unit of study. These preservice teachers (PTs) utilized an inquiry based lesson that focused on underlying movement concepts within each of the throws (e.g. production of force). The lesson started off focusing on the shot put and had students in pairs standing about 15 meters apart and used bean bags instead of a real shot put. The PTs progressed the lesson using some of the following statements

1. Standing with your feet facing your partner and without moving your feet, show me how far you can put the bean bag?

2. Standing with your feet side-on to your partner, show me how far you can put the bean bag without your hand leaving your neck?

Each pair were provided a few attempts and questioned after each learning task about what they did to achieve the furthest distance. As an observer and ex-discus, shot put and hammer thrower to see around 22 students demonstrating some good quality throwing positions and movements (e.g. torque between lower and upper body) was impressive. I was also amazed at the feedback the students provided to illustrate what they did to throw further (e.g. cues that focused on changing levels, weight transfer, etc.).

After the PTs completed their progression, they provided an overview that the movement concepts for throwing the shot put far are not that different within all the throws. It is just a matter of where (at the neck, above your head) and what you hold (shot put, discus).

I would like to add that as I watched this lesson, it reiterated the thought that was taught to me by one of my coaches.

"You seem to be able to demonstrate the proper movements to throw very far, but what happens when you put 2 kilos of stupid in your hand"

I would like to know if anyone has attempted to teach the throws using an innovative lessons? What did you do and how did it go?