Wurfzone

Wurfzone is a term used in athletics to describe the designated area on a field where throwing events are performed and judged. The concept encompasses the throwing circle from which the implement is released and the marked landing sector into which the throw must fall to be considered valid. During an attempt, athletes must stay within the throwing circle and release the implement before exiting it; the resulting throw is valid only if the implement lands within the sector and within the established boundaries.

The Wurfzone is defined by the rules of World Athletics and national federations, with standard layouts used in international competition. It is designed to ensure safe conduct of events and reliable measurement of performance. Surrounding features such as protective nets, cages, and clearly marked sector lines help maintain safety for officials and spectators while guiding the throw’s trajectory and landing area.

The concept applies to all major throwing disciplines, including shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, and javelin throw. In training and competition, facilities are arranged to mirror official Wurfzonen, enabling consistent technique development and fair judging. The term is common in German-language rulebooks and competition documents, where it denotes both the physical space and the rules governing throws within that space.