Athletes in Action

44-o Y..-\ RDS LO\V HURDLES (2) THE fact that Simpson \Vas leaning a little too far back at the stage shown in Fig. I is emphasised in Fig. 2 opposite. The fault, however, is very slight, as may be seen by comparing Fig. 2 opposite \vith Fig. I, High Hurdling (page 64), which shows Trossbach the German champion, in action. It may be seen that Simpson is taking-off at approximately the correct distance of 6 ft. in front of the hurdle, to \\·hich he has kept his hips and shoulders perfectly squarr. His body weight is well balanced above the grounded foot, of which the heel is just touching the track, in the manner rapidly meeting with the approval of top-class hurdlers. The slight flcxion of the left knee gives sufficient power for the drive-off from the ball and toes of the left foot, which carries the athlete up to and over the obstacle . The pick-up of the right knee is sufficient, in that it brings the right shin parallel to the track and the right heel directly under the right buttock, while the left arm (bent at the elbow a corresponding amount to the flexion of the right leg at the h.nee, so that shin and fore-arm both lie parallel to the track) is in the proper position to be extended fully fonvard as the right leg is thrown forward and up to clearance height in front of the hurdle . The slight forward thrust of the head, also, is in order, since the head, and especiallv the chin, must act as the helm to steer the body across the hurdle. . .......