Athletics (British Sports Library)

THE HIGH JUMP 209 up to the level of the bar ; it is the leg and arm actions, combined with the twist of the body to– wards the bar, which get him over it. The high jumper's training should be designed to exercise the body as a whole, in order that he may have complete control over all his movements. He must not stop short at the development of his legs and thighs, but must build up abdominal strength and also give ·elasticity to his muscles and speed to his movements by means of gymnastic exercises. It is important also that he should practise kicking high with the free leg, from which the spring is not made; and in doing so he must strive to get the legs as widely separated as possible. If one is clever in the mid-air body management, one should be able to jump at least as high as one can reach with a standing kick-up of the free leg. Under-do rather than over-do the jumping in training. Do not jump for height at all until the style is worked in ; and then try yourself out only, once, or at the most, twice a week. When jumping for height, raise the bar successively only so long as you find that you can hold the proper form ; none the less you should make the regulation three attempts, and, if you cannot then clear it in correct form, although you may do so by sheer spring, lower it and go on working in the right way. Despite what has been said, one must acquire the 14