Athletics (British Sports Library)

142 ATHLETICS compete with implements the weight of which is beyond his strength. Any schoolmaster or coach who allows a boy to use a weight unsuitable to his age and strength. is not fit for the task he has undertaken as mentor to schoolboy athletes. In a lesser degree the same applies to javelin and discus throwing. Standardized impedimenta for the use of youths can be obtained from such firms as Messrs. A. G. Spalding and Brothers, High Holborn, London ; and it will be found that boys who are given a 3-lb. discus to play with very soon attain amazing results, whereas they would spoil their form with a 4!-lb. implement ; and equally is it the case that a boy who throws well with a short javelin is bound to lose his form if he tries to throw the st-foot man's spear, the length 'Of which it is beyond his power to control. Coaches and games masters should see to it that the jumpers always practise with a proper run up and land in sand-pits; the long jumpers must have a proper take-off board, which should measure not less than 4 feet in length, 8 inches in breadth, and 4 inches in depth. Shot putters, discus and hammer throwers should work from the appropriate circles, and javelin throwers from behind a proper scratch line.