Athletics of To-Day 1929

Athletics of To-day Despite the fact that a first-rate hurdler will often beat a faster runner, speed is of primary importance to the hurdler. He must start the race at such speed as will allow him to come to his first take-off in good shape, but must be striving con– stantly to increase his speed over the first fifteen yards in combination with the ability to take off and effect a correct clearance at his acquired pace. This point is stressed because the best one can hope for through the body of the race is to maintain the speed built up in the sprint to the first flight and to find a bit more pace for the run-in. In running over the ten flights there is little hope of increasing one's speed; the hurdler's aim, in fact, should be to keep up, without losing balance or control, the speed at which he approached the first flight. The standardized form between hurdles calls for three full strides, the obstacle being cleared on the fourth stride. Each of the three succeeding strides should increase in length. No matter how much you are pressed, do not hurry the pace over the last hurdle; a collected landing for the sprint to the tape is far more likely to bring you to victory than a scramble over the fence and an ill-balanced rush for the winning post. A long, swinging stride is needed between the hurdles. It should be changed to the proper sprint form directly the last hurdle is cleared. Run with the hands open until you con– centrate on the sprint for the tape, then clench them tight. Success in hurdling is at least seventy-five per cent form. The exercises shown in Plates I7 and I8 will go a long way towards the development of a proper style and the hurdler should devote half an hour a day to the practice of these exercises. In these plates No. I, Plate IJ, shows the com– mencing tt spread" position, from which the two first xercises start. The 1 g one is accustomed to throw first over each fence is stretched straight out in front, with toes pointing upwards. The thigh of the other leg is at right angles to the body and the lower leg of the same limb at right angles to the thigh, with the foot at right angles to the lower leg. Exercise I (No. 2, Plate IJ.)- rom the position shown in No. I stretch both hands forward, palms downward, until the