Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CHAPTER XIII THE POLE-JUMP AcROBATIC, gymnastic, absurdly dangerous-call it what you will, there is no single event from end to end of the athletic programme which is so thrilling to watch or so exhilarating to take part in ! The novice who wishes to distinguish himself in this branch of athletics must first of all be blessed with a fine, natural physique, and having that, he must proceed by having gymnastic exercises to build it up and develop it to its highest capacity; he must also have a great turn of speed and no small powers of springing, and lastly, he must have ~ any amount of grit and pluck, for pole-jumping is no dame's school pastime, but a man's game for men who don't mind a few hard knocks and tumbles. It will be seen that this sport calls for great all– round fitness, and therefore for a sound all-round training, which should go on practically all the year round. Pole-jumping can very well go on in . the winter months in the gymnasium; mattresses are provided for the jumper to land on, and one of Messrs. A G. Spalding Bros.' pole-jump blocks should be obtained. This block, or rather frame, is about three feet square, one or two inches high in front, and rising to about six inches at the back, where there IOf ' ~