Rowing and Track Athletics (extract)

Sprinting and -Amerz'can Sprinters 301 doubt. That it is safer, that is to say, that the runner is less likely to be penalized for stepping over the line when he is crouching solidly on all fours, is obvious. In the crouching, or, as it was called when it first came into use, the "student's" start, both hands are placed on the starting line, with the fingers extended generally and the arms straight. One foot, generally the left, is set 'about four inches back of the line, and the other is firmly set at a comfortable distance behind the first and exactly parallel to it. When the rear foot is in position, the rear knee should reach to the middle of the forward foot. Both feet should be firmly set in a solid pocket, scooped or stamped out of the cinders. \i\Tith his fingers on the line, and kneeling on the rear knee, the runner may wait at his ease until the starter is ready. At the sig– nal "Get on your marks!" he may rise partially, still keeping his fingers on the line; at "Get set!" the rear leg straightens somewhat, and the runner leans forward, until the weight of his body is trembling, over the line on the pivot of his fin– gers. At the pistol shot he dive forward, com– ing up gradually to an erect po ition as he works into his stride. Aside from its added security, the theory of the crouching start is that the run– ner can get away from the line quicker by, o to speak, falling or diving away from a solid brace than he can by trusting merely to the pring that