Athletes in Action

THRO\\"l~G THE ].\YELl:'\ (2) \Y HE~ you can run fairly fast, with the javelin carried as shown in Fig. I and the left arm swinging loosely backwards and forwards across the body, to assist and balance the rapid running action of the legs, you must begin all over again, first at a walk and then at a medium pace trot. The length of the walk, trot and, finally, the run, for the next stage in learning the throw is the full run-length less about 5 yds. :\Iark on the ground a scratch-line 12 ft. long, and mark an approach line perpen- dicular to it of 25 yds. Then mark your first "check" I+ ft. to 16 ft. short of the scratch-line. Now approach the scratch-line, with the javelin carried as in Fig. I, at a "':al.k to begin ""·ith. Three strides short of the check-mark begin to draw the throwing arm smoothly back, as shown in Fig. 2 opposite. Let the left arm swing smoothly, keep the point of the javelin still directed downwards. Take care that the muscles of the body and arms are held relaxed, and do not forget to keep the shoulders almost squarc to the direction of the run as the throwing arm is drawn back. Continue to practise this action until you can reach the check-mark v;hile running at full speed. In other words, you must learn to draw back the throwing arm without allowing that action to check your momentum. On the last right foot stride, before the left foot hits the check-mark, the left arm is allowed to fall (as shown in Fig. 2 opposite), preparatory to being swung across the body in the next stage of the evolution of throwing, the left foot is then placed hard down on the check-mark. N 0'\ •..N