Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

THE POLE-JUMP 107 top of the pole, with an underhand grip, and the left hand below it, with an overhand grip. The pole is carried with the point raised slightly upwards, and throughout the run the shoulders are kept turned as squarely to the cross-bar as possible (sketch r, p. IIo). The poise of the body is somewhat forward, and the athlete runs at the greatest speed of which he is capable with long, bounding strides. The run commences gently, generates all its power about fifteen yards from the take-off, and from thence the jumper must let his limbs swing loosely forward from the hips, gathering all his powers for the spring without in any way diminishing the pace at which he is travelling. The last stride before the left foot is planted down for the spring must be a short one, so that the leg is got directly under the body, which it lifts up with a powerful leg-drive. During the run the pole must be kept perfectly still; it will kill the pace and throw the runner right out of his stride if the point of the pole is allowed to move from side to side as the jumper runs. There are two men in London at the present day with the makings of really great " pole-jumps" in them, but both ruin their chances by wobbling the pole from side to side and running with little, mincing steps, instead of getting good, open, bounding strides. Before the runner can jump at all he must determine on his run, and get it of such a length as will give him the maximum amount of speed up to the planting of the pole without unduly overtaxing his energy by too long a run. This run should be just under thirty yards from the take-off, but will vary a little with the striding capacity and condition of the individual and the state of -the ground.