Athletes in Action

440 YARDS LO\V HURDLES (4) IT is very important that the reader should appreciate the technical differences between High and Low Hurdling, wherefore a close comparison should be made between the beginning of Low Hurdle clearance-action, shown by Simpson in Fig. 4 opposite, and the third attitude in the composite picture on page 78, which portrays the same stage of High Hurdle clearance . The picture of Trossbach, Fig. 2, page 66, may be studied also and compared with Fig. 4 opposite. It will be seen that the Low Hurdler uses far less body-dip, but ensures that such dip as is used shall be sufficient, by pointing the 'i.ng ~rs of the fon,:ard thrust hand slightly down towards the top rail of the hurdle, in order that the arm direction may tend to draw the trunk forward and down. Simpson is using a single-arm lift style, and so the left arm has gone forward, in concert with the right leg, to a full stretch with the fingers reaching out as far as the toes . The long hang of the left leg and the position of the right foot, with the toes directed straight upwards and the foot itself retaining an angle of 90 degrees to the shin, are excellent features of the form displayed in Fig. 4-· The reader should note that the leading foot has been thrO\vn straight up to the hurdle~ without any deviation to one side or the other, and that the left foot is being turned slightly out,vards, in preparation for the upv;ard and outward lift of the knee. '-1