Athletics (British Sports Library)

44 ATHLETICS which is an all-important matter. The proper degree of the forward lean can be seen from either front or rear if the placing of the feet and the head, knee, and arm positions are studied. If the arms are raised too high the body will get too close to an erect position ; too long a leg-stretch will unduly emphasize the forward lean ; too high a _knee-lift will accentuate the too erect carriage ; and a wasteful kick up of the rear foot will throw the body too far forward. The coach's eye should never leave the runner. In the case of a man running through 150 yards, with top speed switched on at the lOO yards' mark, tile coach must watch for the distress signals of arms or head coming up and any obvious tendency to fi_ght for speed. He must note the spot at which the distress signals were flown, and from that build up his charges to "take ·the strain." Finally, he should take the men over the course, show them their own tracks, and make them realize their own faults. This is only a brief outline held out suggestively ; but the man who is going to be worth his salt as an instructor will readily see whither it is leading him and plan his own campaign accordingly. In the case of the mature athlete three months is not too long a time for the preparation of a sprinter. Roughly speaking, there will be a first