Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

I 10 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS from the hips, and the eyes are directed at the centre of the cross-bar. Before commencing to run, the athlete takes one last look along the path at the pit in which the pole will be placed and at the take-off spot, which he should have marked with a piece of white paper ; finally he raises his eyes once more to the cross-bar. Springing forward, he gets a good deep breath and concentrates all his will-power on running swiftly d.(o, (sketch I) ; ten or h . -- twelve yards before -._,_ ~ the take-off is reached '-._: ~\ he sets his mind on the '\..~ jump itself; and begins to run loosely from the hips, but without lessening his speed ; ten feet from the take-off he gathers himself together for the spring; even at the risk of imperceptibly lessening his speed. Now for the first time the pole is really gripped, but only by the right hand, the left' still acting as a guide and support. Remember, throughout the run the pole only rests lightly in the hands right up to the last second; if this important detail is for– gotten, the arms are unnecessarily tired before it is time for them to perform their functions. It must be borne in mind that during the whole cpurse of the run the shoulders are to be kept turned as nearly square to the bar as possible. Just as the take-off is approached the point of the pole is thrown up, and the arms are stretched out. As the right hand is brought above the head to make the stab for the take-off hole, the left hand is moved rapidly up the pole, so that both hands are close