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

THE LEAPING ROPE. THE exercises with the leaping rope 1 and also those with the leaping pole 1 differ in certain features from all other modes of leaping; they employ a machine to aid the leaper in clearing the barrier) and they give employment to both the upper and the lower limbs, thus forming the connecting-link between leaping and vaulting. The practice of these exercises is very good in an elementary sense) giving much action in a bene- ficial form to the trunk as well as to the limbs. This machine is a strong rope suspended from a tie- beam or other point of attachment) over the centre of the string and posts already described for leaping height. It should reach within four feet of the ground. Single Series. Exercise 1. COURSE I. INGLE ERIES. TO LEAP HEIGHT. Position of attention m front of th barrier. 1. Raise both bands to the reach and grasp the rope, passing the end of it over the shoulder (Fig. 1); spring from the feet (slightly to the rear), bringing the lower limbs straight up in front of the face, letting the bead and shoulders incline to the rear 0