Athletics of To-Day 1929

Athletics of To-day illustrations (Fig. 47). The jump forward was then toned down to a very smooth glide in which the feet pass only just above the ground. The start of this glide is shown in sketch B, Fig. 47· It will be seen that the right foot does not leave the ground until the thighs are at full stretch. Note especially that the left leg is kept bent at the knee, the body is drawn well back, and the right elbow is held directly in rear of the shot. Now look at the diagrams in Figs. 48 and 49· In the Ameri- can style the athlete places his feet as shown at RI and LI. The left leg is then raised as shown in Picture No. 4, Plate 58, and swung behind the right leg to point X ; without any check in the movement, it then goes forward again on a long A 8 FIG. 47 swing, started with an in- creasing kick action (see Pictures Nos. I and 4, Plate 59), the right leg drives off, shifting the balance past the centre of the circle and the athlete lands flat on both feet at Rz and Lz, with the right shoulder drawn well back and the right knee bent. The Americans have yet another method of making the glide. In this the athlete lands with his right foot well beyond the centre of the circle and the feet much closer together, so that he gets the drive off both legs. This is the method used by Clarence Houser. In both cases the glide starts slowly and pace is put into the evolution as the feet land at Rz and Lz. The Americans make the Reverse a part of the glide and delivery actions. When both feet are down the final effort commences from the ball of the right foot and is carried on by the straightening of the right leg, the body is twisted from right to left, and the shoulders are pressed forward as the left leg is stiffened; the right arm then shoots out, and the shot is dis– patched with a final flick of the wrist and fingers. The feet