Athletics (British Sports Library)

HURDLING 79 upon which each individual may base a schedule best suited to his own special requirements. We now come to the 200 Yards Low Hurdles. The athlete who decides to take up this event need not of necessity be as tall as the man who fancies the 120 yards dash over 3-foot 6-inch obstacles. The hurdle used for the furlong distance is but 2 feet 6 inches in height, and can be negotiated easily in the step-over style. In point of fact the furlong fencer should never lose the sprint position and body lean from start to finish, not even going over the hurdles, nor ~hould his head rise much higher in hurdling than it does when actually sprinting. It will be remembered that it was said-that even a man of mediocre speed might attain to 15 seconds over the high hurdles at 120 yaFds, provided he could acquire perfect clearance form; but the man who has not a natural turn of speed should leave the low hurdles alone. Purely mechanical pace can be acquired and maintained up to 120 yards; beyond that distance natural ability and cultivated striding are necessary. Striding ability is particu– larly mentioned, as it is necessary for the furlong hurdler to accustom himself to covering the inter– vening space of 20 yards between flights in seven exact strides. The main reason why most first-class high hurdlers