Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CHAPTER XIV HURDLING THis sport may be divided into two distinct branches, low hurdling and high hurdling. The former race is run over distances varying from 220 yards .to half a mile. In America the hurdles vary in height from 2 feet to 2 ft. 6 in., the latter being the more usual; but in Great Britain the standard height of a low hurdle is 3 feet. The practice of the athlete competing in these races, over low hurdles, is to take the obstacle absolutely in his stride with the sole of the foot directed straight to the front, so that if the hurdle is touched the flat of the foot will push it straight over (see fig. 38). According to the space the hurdles are placed apart, so will the number of steps to be taken between each flight vary. In detail the method of negotiating the low hurdle is as follows : The athlete sprints up to the first flight at full speed, and (assuming for the purpose of description that he throws the left leg over first) kicks the left leg straight up in front of him, bends the body forward at the same time, snaps the left leg sharply down on the other side of the obstacle, simulta- ux