Athletics (British Sports Library)

210 ATHLETICS - knack of working at good heights, otherwise one can never hope to accomplish them in competition. Always keep your eye on the cross-bar, that is why you tie a handkerchief on it and why it is painted black and white in alternate bands. The difficulty of estimating one's own form has been the bugbear of many jumpers. If, therefore, no instructor is available, one should arrange to train with a fellow high jumper, each acting as observer to the other in turn. . Points to watch for are as follows : Is the run-up free and neither too fast nor too slow? Does the jumper stamp his · foot down hard enough in making the take-off ?· Does he let his take-off leg hang until the free leg is ov~r the ' bar? Is the straight-leg kick-up of the free leg strong enougl1 ? Is the forward body position maintained as the athlete rises? Is the knee drawn into the breast sufficiently strongly and at the right instant whe:p. the seat is centralized above the bar? · Is the body twisted sufficiently towards the bar ? ..·Is the jumper putting .too much effort into the jump; more, that is, than is required to clear the height at which .the bar is set? · Is the jump made in the same manner upon each occasion? Do the arms go freely up and forward in one movement when the bar . has been crossed ? Is the· ·take-off - leg