Athletics (British Sports Library)

THE HIGH JUMP 211 straightened properly for the second time, i.e. when the bar has been crossed, and does the free leg follow its proper backwards swing as the jumper is descending (Sketch 6) ? The athlete should himself a~tend to the following points: The shoes must fit closely, and be equipped with six spikes in the sole and two in the heel of each shoe. . Do -not start jumping in competition-at too low heights. . Keep the body warm by wearing -a sweater and the legs by wrapping them in a blanket, except when actually jumping. Rest for several days before a competition. Rest between jumps and pay attention to the leg position. It ruins the elasticity of the muscles to cramp the position of the legs. Get massage before and after competi– tion. Always warm up with two or three easy jumps five minutes before commencing competition. Always strive to effect the landing easily and in a relaxed manner. Never, never land on the opposite foot to that from which the spring was made. . If you jump from the right foot, land on the right foot, and vice versa; you cannot then be guilty of perpetrating the bad and useless old ·~scissors " jump, so beloved of all uninstructed schoolboys. Take trouble over getting your run-up and take– off right, even to the extent of measuring it with a tape.