JAK Hammer Throws was created to expand access to quality coaching, training, and competition opportunities in the throwing events with a special emphasis on the hammer throw.

While shot put and discus are widely offered in high school programs, the hammer throw is often unavailable. As a result, many talented athletes never have the opportunity to learn or compete in one of the premier throwing events in track and field.

JAK Hammer Throws provides athletes with a place to train, develop, and compete in hammer throw, shot put, and discus while working alongside other motivated throwers.

Athletes who train with JAK Hammer Throws have the opportunity to:

• Learn proper throwing technique
• Develop through structured training sessions
• Train alongside other motivated throwers
• Gain experience in the hammer throw
• Compete in organized throwing competitions

The goal is simple: create opportunities for athletes to develop in the throwing events and help grow the hammer throw in North East Ohio. 

Jeff Jakmides has been coaching track and field since 2012 and has spent his career developing throwers at the collegiate level.

He currently serves as the Head Throws Coach at Walsh University and has helped build one of the most successful throwing programs in NCAA Division II.

During his coaching career he has developed:

• 70 NCAA Division II National Qualifiers
• 11 Conference Champions
• 9 NCAA All-Americans

His athletes have qualified for the NCAA National Championships across Division I, Division II, and Division III, and several have continued competing beyond college.

Coach Jak is passionate about technical development, athlete progression, and creating opportunities for throwers to reach their potential.

The mission of JAK Hammer Throws is to provide coaching, training opportunities, and competitions that help athletes develop in the throwing events.

Many throwers never have the opportunity to learn the hammer throw simply because their school does not offer it. By creating access to coaching and competition, JAK Hammer Throws aims to introduce more athletes to the event while continuing to develop athletes in the shot put and discus as well.

Who This Is For

JAK Hammer Throws works with athletes at multiple levels:

High School Athletes
Learning the hammer throw or continuing development in the shot put and discus.

Open and Post-Collegiate Athletes
Continuing to train and compete in the throwing events.

Whether an athlete is learning the hammer throw for the first time or refining their technique in the shot put or discus, the goal remains the same:

Improve technically.
Train with purpose.
Compete with confidence.