Athletics of To-Day 1929

--- ·- --~ Athletics of To-day point is thrown forward into the slideway. The upper hand has a palm upwards grip and the lower hand a palm downwards grip; in both cases the thumbs are the nearest part of the hands to the top end of the pole. The hands are held about 36 ins. apart. If, in running, the point of the pole is raised above a "par– allel to the ground, position, the upper part of the body remains set and all the work of traction falls upon the legs. If the point of the pole is kept down it will be found possible to swing the pole directly backwards and forwards as one runs. Charles Hoff did this to perfection. This allows for a compen– satory shoulder swing and lengthens out the stride from 18 to 24 ins. And, moreover, the whole body being held loosely with a relaxed hand grip and the pole " on the directly forward and backward swing," the pole point goes into the slideway with considerably more force, and a more vigorous take-off is obtained, than would be possible from a rigid, unswinging pole carriage. The grip of the hands must, of course, be consolidated as the point of the pole goes into the slideway. The vaulter should learn to harmonize the speed of ap– proach and vigour of take-off with the height being attempted. For example, if one can clear r2 ft. it is obviously not necessary to put all one's speed and take-off vigour into the effort to effect a ro ft. clearance. Awell taught and well trained vaulter who is sure of his ability to clear r2 ft. to I2 ft. 6 ins., should be able to get over ro ft. to ro ft. 6 ins. with a light run of three to six strides, relying upon his swing, pull-up, and vertical lift to push up or carry him over the lower height. Try to ensure that you are at maximum running speed when you reach the take-off. Long-striding vaulters usually need a long run; short, quick-striding men usually reach their maxi– mum speed in a shorter distance. The approach run should have a cumulative effect, if maximum heights are to be reached. The plan is to have the speed steadily increasing from starting mark to take-off point. Learn all about your own run-up by sweeping the run-way before each attempt. Then, after you have vaulted, go back and study your foot-work.