Athletics (British Sports Library)

64 ATHLETICS necessary technique over the 3-foot fences, since this need never be so perfect over the low hurdles as over the high ones. Hurdlers in embryo should study closely the chapters in this book dealing with sprint running and quarter-miling, since they must have both the correct form of starting and finishing and the proper style of running. · To the foregoing attributes it is necessary for the instructor to add to his pupil's repertoire the proper clearance form. A great deal of this can be taught by placing the pupil in the correct clearance attitude upon the ground (Sketch 1, A and B), and by means of such exercises as are shown in the accompanying illus– trations. Dealing with the high hurdles first, we find that both clearance form and speed are the main essentials; but it must not be forgotten that the man who perfects his form may quite easily gain his speed at the hands of an instructor or by proper personal training. In this connection it is worthy of note that one of the greatest of American coaches has laid it down that a man with perfect clearance form and only moderate sprinting ability may be quite capable of registering 15 seconds for 120 yards over ten flights of 3-foot 6-~nch hurdles. In point of fact, the cultivation of the correct