Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

THE RUNNING LONG-JUMP 87 go on in a straight line for ever; but it is this attraction which causes it to describe a curved line. This attraction of the earth during the first half of the curve is a retardation, but during the latter half it acts as an acceleration, which increases as rapidly as the first half decreased, and so helps the finish of the jump. There is another cause of retardation, and that is the resistance of the air; but although it is a very considerable one, the actual law of resistance due to this factor is not accurately known, so it is useless · to take it into account. It will be seen that the jumper must practise the various parts of the jump seriatim. It might be as well to add, incidentally, that it is unnecessary for him to work with the full length of run when practising; when studying the take-off and rise, for instance, a run of quite a few steps will suffice. The long– jumper may also vary his training by doing a little hurdling at a fairly fast pace, as this will help to build up the springing muscles in his take-off leg. He may also do a certain amount of standing long-jumping, which will do much to teach him the art of landing and the angle of take-off; it will also teach him to gather and control his body and to use his arms powerfully, and finally it is just possible that it may add to the placidity of his nerve-a great asset in all sports. It is all important that after the various component parts have been mastered in detail, the jump should be practised as a jump, so that all the subsidiary parts may be knitted into the perfect whole, and the evolu– tion carried out smoothly and rhythmically from "run– up" to "landing."