Athletics (British Sports Library)

FOR PARENTS AND SCHOOLMASTERS 33 to the fundamental principle that the athlete cannot study his own form in action. He may acquire all the theory of technique from text-books and pictures; but he has got to have someone to watch him with the eye of knowledge-someone, moreover, who is capable of picking out and demonstrating to him his faults. The games master or coach is the proper person to fulfil this function, but if such expert advice be not available then two or three boys should work together for the purpose of noting improvements and correcting each other's faults. Finally, boys should be afforded all possible facilities for watching real champions at work both in training and competition. In this way the)[ will acquire an imitative faculty and soon learn to emulate the feats of those they have observed. If there is any difficulty in the matter of coaching, I would strongly recommend schoolmasters to get in touch with the Hon. Sec., Amateur Athletic Association, 10 John Street, Adelphi,_London, with a view to asking the governing body to send down some expert old champion to give the boys a few hints. I think, too, that all boys should be encouraged to take part in the Public Schools Sports, held annually at Stamford Bridge, London, in the month of April. Full information -regarding these sports may be obtained from Mr. David Basan, Hon. Sec., 3