Athletes in Action

tlj STARTING (4) No matter what type of race one is competing in, pro\ided that it calls for a crouch start, the first consideration must be that of generating immediate momentum, \vherefore the athlete must learn to run out of his holes without any exaggerated knee pick-up, without striving after early stride-length, and with the body \'vell inclined foward, as shown in Fig. 4 opposite, and with the fixed determination not to allow his body to rise to the full sprinting angle until he has travelled some 30 yards. This, however, does not apply to High Hurdlers, whose first fence is but I 5 yds. away from the start, and who must therefore get up to the sprinting angle within a distance of about 10 or I 2 yds. It has been suggested that the rear foot should strike the track about a yard beyond the scratch-line in completing its first stride out of the holes ; but, in this respect, there is, naturally, a fixed optimum length for each runner, which he must discover for himself by prolonged experiment. \Vhen he has discovered his optimum first stride-length he must mark the length on the track, both in training and for competition. He must, moreover, use it as the fixed point for his eyes to gaze at from the time he goes to the mark until the first stride is taken. After that the sprinter lifts his eyes to the tape and the High Hurdler fixes his eyes upon the top rail of the c:econd hurdle, as he approaches the first flight. Full use should be made of the arms to impart quickness and lightness to the initial stride out of the holes. H '-l