Instructions in All Kinds of Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

CHAPTER III. LEAPING. LEAPING is the art of forcing the body rapidly through the air for a small space, by an exertion of the muscular powers; and is the best bodily exercise for giving strength and agility to the lower members. PREPARATORY EXERCISES. The Hop Walk. —Theaction of the muscles of the legs must be brought moderately into play, at first, particularly with little boys, and gradually increased afterwards. The hop-walk is therefore the first preparatory exercise. It consists in a continued stepping forward upon the balls of the toes, so that the body is perceptibly raised by each foot. The Hop Run. —This is a continued hop-