Athletics

58 ATHLETICS. game. It is agrand strengthener of the back, loins, shoulders, and system generally.Good indoor practice can be obtained by dumb-bell andIndian-club work, or using a heavy bell— the writer exercises with a 20 lb. one when practising, in order to strengthen the arm and accustom it to heavy weights; but this is only useful for the purpose named. Above all, especially toa new novice,the stepping and correct delivery must be studied. Many a strongman wastes his strength because his action is jerky and irregular. In Irelandand at the 'Varsities a lead shot is used; this is much smaller,and it can be gripped (iron cannot, unless the putter has a giant paw), and thereby sent further. At competitions in Ireland competitors often use their own "shots," and amongst the writer's relics is the one with which Dr. Wadsworth, of Belfast, won the Irish championship with a put of over 40 ft. A peculiarity of the 'Varsitiesis, that the A.A.A. laws are set at naught, and a 10 ft. square used, a fact only one sporting paper (see page 46) has been able to detect. Feats ofstrength, suchas "Slinging the 56 lb. weight," " Putting the 40 lb, weight" (a lead brick), and other variations, arepopular inIreland andAmerica. CHAPTER IV. HURDLE RACING. "The hurdle race shall be over ten flights of hurdles on a level grass course of 120 yards straight. The hurdles shall stand 3 ft, 6 in, from the ground, and shall have level top-rails, and shall te placed 10 yards apart. The first flight of hurdles shall be 15 yards from scratch. Each competitorshall have his own line ofhurdles, andshall keep to thatline throughout the race." THIS is generally a weak spot in country meetings. In the firstplace a level, smooth stretch— not up the sprint path.