Athletics (British Sports Library)

58 ATHLETICS of stick, just long enough for the two hands to hold with knuckles almost touching, and to run fast while grasping the wood and working the arms across the body with an upward and downward swing (Sketch 7). The stride should be varied, and "pattering" is good for all types of sprinters. "Pattering" consists of running about 30 yards with short steps of lightning rapidity ·interspersed with three or four long strides occasionally before the " pattering " is resumed. There are one or two points to guard against, the first of which is never to come almost upright out of the holes ; never kick up the leg too high behind, as this is a waste of energy ; never throw the arms up and the head back as you breast the tape (Sketch 6, A); and always, during the course of the race, fix your eyes on the ground some yards ahead of you, and keep the head perfectly still right through the course of the race. Do not try to exaggerate the forward throw of the lower leg from the knee, in the hope of lengthening out the stride, otherwise you will dwell perceptibly between the putting down of each foot. The lOO Yards is a race at full speed from start to firlish, and therefore no· judgment is required, nor should the athlete ever allow himself the luxury of turning his head, or even his eyes, to find out what the other fellows are doing. Most men will