Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACHING EDUCATION coach to decide accurately upon the comparative value of the achievements of his pupils. For example, he will learn from McCloy's tables that the following performances are of equal athletic value: - lOO yds. 220 yds. 440 yds. 88o yds. r mile . r20 yds. hurdles Highjump . Longjump . Hop, step, and jump Pole vault r6-lb. shot put Discus . Javelin. 9'75 secs. 2r ·25 secs. 49 secs. r min. 54'5 secs. 4 mins. 19 secs. 15 secs. 6ft. 4! ins. 24ft. 5 ins. 48ft. 13 ft. 49ft. 153ft. 2 IO ft. These comparative values will no doubt be surpnsmg to a number of people; but they are none the less accurately computed from properly assembled and tested scientific data. A knowledge of the whole range of carefully prepared comparative values will enable a coach to preserve his own sense of proportion, and, furthermore, will put him in a position to prove to track runners that they are not so vastly superior to the field-events men as they are all too prone to believe themselves to be. It is only fair to say that the track runner's self-satisfaction is usually due to the greater prominence given in the Press to his performances. In fact, it would be no bad thing if sports writers would study McCloy's book. Mter doing so they would, no doubt, give field-events men their due meed of praise for out– standing achievements. Periodicals and newspapers also are of value to the coach. Such journals and periodicals as I have in mind enable a coach to be up to date. The daily papers should keep him au fait with current performances throughout the world and the establish– ment of new records. Unfortunately the British Press pays but scant attention to track and field athletics; indeed, I know several sports writers who get the Stockholms Dagblad for information as to results of sports meetings on the Continent, and one special correspondent in athletics who receives L'Athletisme from Paris • 6g.