Athletes in Action

bj . SPRINTING (3) IN the next series of pictures, Figs. 6 to 8 opposite, and Figs. 9 and 10 on the next page, the complete left leg-stride is portrayed. In Fig. 6 opposite there is seen an adequate amount of forward body lean for the particular style when the runner is travelling at full speed. The chopped knee-lift, with the heel of the left foot well back, indicates that a quick burst of speed is being generated, and it will be seen that, although the runner completed the previous stride upon the ball of the right foot, he is now coming right up on to the toes of that foot in a po·werfulleg-driYe-action, v..·hich is aided by the fonvard- lean of the body and the strong swing of the arms. If Fig, 7 opposite is now compared with Fig. I on page 20, it will be seen that the acceleration of speed has caused the left foot and lower leg to S\ving more rapidly through from below the knee, that the stride is longer and the arm-action even more pronounced. Note that the shoulders, again, do not follow the pull of the arms but, with the hips, are kept square to the front. The reader should note how in Figs. I, 2, 7 and 8 the rear arm is not allQ\>~;ed to rise hi~her than will allow of the upper arm remaining paralld to the track, and ho\\. the swing is checked by the flexion of the rear hand upon the wrist. Fig. 8 again emphasises how the foot and lower leg swing through naturally and that the toes should not be pointed until just as the sole spikes are about to take the cinders. The hang of the rear leg is excellent. t-l V'l