British Manly Exercises

THE LONG LEAP. 21 fVith a Run- This leap is best executed with a run; and we have thereforedwelt less upon theformer. Here also, the body must be inclined forward. The runshould be made over a piece of firm, and not slippery ground, to theextent of ten, fifteen, or twenty paces ; should consist of small steps increasing in quick­ ness as they approachthe point of springing; and these should be so calculated as to bring upon the point that footwith which the leaperis accustomedto spring. The spring, as hereimplied, should be performedwith one foot, and the armsshouldbe thrown forciblytowards theplace proposed to be reached. The height as well as the length of the leap, must be calculated, forthe leap is shortened by not springinga properheight.—(Plate III. Figure 2 J In the descent, thefeet areclosed, the knees bent, the upper part of the body inclined forward, and the toes firsttouch the ground, at whichmoment, a light spring, and afterwards some shortsteps, are made, in orderto avoidany sudden check. In the most extended leap, however, lightingon the toes is impossible. A sort of horizontal swing is then achieved,by which the leaper'shead is little higherthan his feet, and his whole figure is almost parallel with the ground; and, in this case, to alight on the toes is im­ possible. Care, however, must here be taken not to throw the feet so much forward as to cause the leaper to fall back­ wardat the moment of descent. The ground must be cleared,or theleap is imperfectand unfair.