Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

THE POLE-JUMP I09 have their hold. This, like the take-off, varies with the individual, but a good method of ascertaining approximately the right point is to stand the pole up in the pit, and with the eye observe the spot at which the bar crosses it; that will be approximately the hold for the upper hand; but if the jumper is doing I I or 12 feet, then the hand-hold may have to be a trifle lower than the point at which the bar crosses the upright pole. Lastly, before making a jump, the athlete is advised to see that the sand-pit in which his body will land is of a suitable size, and that the sand has been well loosened up, so that he will not receive any more shock to the system when he falls than is absolutely necessary. Let us now take the jump step by step. The jumper first ascertains the point at which his top hand (right, in the assumed case) will take its grip, and then, going back some thirty yards from the jump, or to whatever distance he has decided upon for his run, he faces the jump, and takes the pole in his hands, the top one (right hand) with an under-grip (thumb uppermost, knuckles under), while the left hand, at such a distance down the pole as will allow it to be balanced easily with point uptilted, has an over– grip (thumb under, knuckles uppermost). The right arm is fairly outstretched downwards, and the left fore-arm is held parallel to the ground across the body just above the hips. Preparatory to making the run, the athlete stands with the pole resting lightly in the hands as de– scribed; the weight rests on the right leg, and the left toe is pointed ready for the spring forward in the first stride; the trunk is bent slightly forward