Athletics (British Sports Library)

42 ATHLETICS forward swing of one fist in an " upper-cut " which ends in advance of and just lower than the chin, while the backward swing of the other arm brings the other hand to a position just in rear of the hip (Sketch 5). In both styles of sprinting the straight arm, upper-cut punch is the thing to aim at coming out of the holes (Sketch 4), and if the athlete uses a high knee-lift throughout his races then Paddock's lifting arm swing and downward pull will suit him; but if the more economical and (I, personally, believe) better low carriage, close-to-the-ground action advocated by Mussabini be employed, then undoubtedly the cross-arm action with its accom– panying shoulder hitch provides the correct arm carriage. Before going on to divide up the technique of sprint racing, it will be well for a moment to con– sider the instructor's function, since this book is in part designed to help those desirous of taking up the teaching of athletics. The coach should himself be first man on the ground for training work. His first consideration should be the direction and strength of the wind, if any, and the state of the path. According to whether the track surface is hard, provides good going, or is soft he will, when he goes back to the dressing-room, direct the men coming out to train