Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACHING AND CARE OF ATHLETES be made of J. Higginson Junior, who was accompanied by his father, whose English hop, step, and jump record he had recently broken by a quarter of an inch. Higginson Senior lectured on how he had trained his son, and described the principles which he advocated for the hop, step, and jump. Mr Higginson's views were fully endorsed by Comstock, ·and when the latter saw Higginson Junior performing he stated that the English athlete, so far as style is concerned, was comparable with the Japanese exponents who have broken world's records. Coaching schools in America have, of course, been common for a number of years, but it is gratifying to have the statement of an authority such as Boyd Comstock that there is nothing in America which is better than, or even as good as, the English Summer School for Athletes at Loughborough. The year after the first Summer School was established in Eng– land a similar institution came into being in Finland. Since then schools have been founded in South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, based upon the system in vogue in England. Not only does the English Summer School give first-class instruction to active athletes and annually increase the number of amateur coaches to spread the athletic gospel throughout the land, but it also provides perhaps the pleasantest form of holiday for an athlete who is really keen on the sport. The coaches are all men who have proved their ability to teach. The surroundings and the company are both congenial, and the cost is almost negligible. The terms are £3 rss. for one week, £6 rss. for two weeks, or £g rss. for three weeks. These fees cover tuition, full board residence, and gratuities . Each student has his own comfortable study-bedroom, with very good feeding, which comprises breakfast, luncheon, tea, and dinner in hall. There are also splendid recreational facilities, such as billiards, swimming, lawn tennis, and other games, together with social functions, such as dances, which are arranged two or three times a week by the college authorities. The English A. A. A. Summer School for Athletes has, I feel, fully proved its value. Games masters, sports officers, and club leaders have attended, and thereafter have gone back to give instruction at their various institutions. Boys coached by men who have been students of the Summer School have won English Junior and Public Schools championships. Regimental teams similarly instructed by sports officers who have attended the School have 50