Athletics (British Sports Library)

154 ATHLETICS fifteen or twenty throws should be made each day. Once a week, after the style is worked in, long powerful throws may be practised. . It is suggested that one day should be devoted to building up speed in the throw without too much force in the final delivery. · Another day try for lightness and quickness of footwork combined with a fairly strong throw, or again concentrate upon full speed in the running and footwork, but conclude each run with only a gentle throw. In training use a supple-shafted ash javelin, as this does not tire the arm. In competition always use a weapon shafted with stiff Finnish birch; this will fly fully 30 feet farther than the more whippy variety. Stiff javelins and bad throwing upset the elbow and shoulder; if these joints become painful they must be treated with hot fomentations and massage. Always, and especially before competition, have the arms massaged and otherwise warmed up by some gentle throws before attempting a full strength throw. Train in throwing on bad as well as on good ground, as we are expected to perform on all sorts of pitches in English competitions at present.