A System of Physical Education, Theoretical and Practical (extract)

SECT. II.) LEAPING. 179 healtbfnl growth and full development, namely, rapid contraction and expansion, with progressive and ac- cumulative effort; while the power of concentrating the energies, of governing the action of the limbs, and of alighting on the spot and in the position desired, becomes, by practice of these various forms of leaping, completely under control. The instructor must be careful to confine the learner to the simpler modes of leaping until he has acquired the power of making the limbs and trunk act har- moniously together, and of preserving the equilibrium of the body in every situation and position. When practising leaping depth, the initiatory practice should be at a very slight depth, gradually increasing, but never under any circumstances shoulu it be increased, or its difficulty otherwise augmented, until the action and position is correct. In leaping height the learner must never be allowed to leap at a stiff barrier; it in no way tests the power of the leaper better than a fragile one, or affords greater advantages in the practic·e, and there is no merit in doing anything dangerous when there is no equivalent to be gained for the risk under- gone. Rails should be attempted only by well-trained and experienced leapers, for a slip of the foot may and does often happen with the best leapers, and such a mishap ought never to entail serious injury. In leaping 1oidth, over a dry ditch, for practice, the ditch shonlcl be hallow, and the sand or saw-dust at the bottom should N2