Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

HURDLING 127 leg, and to practise over two or three hurdles only, at first ; indeed, most of his training should be done over this limited number of hurdles, with an occasional run through the whole distance over ten flights at half-speed, and a time-trial once a week with another hurdler against the watch. As the training for the important event, which will be the culminating point of his efforts, progresses, he should take an occasional chance of competing, as it is only by actual competition that the hurdler learns the real science an'd nerve control so necessary in a race. The objects of these occasional competitions and time-trials against another and, if possible, better athlete, is to teach the hurdler to retain his form all through the distance, a point upon which too great emphasis cannot be laid. So often one sees a man who for the first-five or six flights exhibits absolutely perfect style, and then, getting excited, goes to pieces and begins "jumping" his hurdles instead of "flying" them scientifically, and so gets his striding all uneven between the flights. As to the actual method of hurdling. First the novice must learn to start ; for this he is referred to the chapter on Sprinting. Having acquired the correct starting method, he must learn to sprint up to the first flight of hurdles in an even number of strides, and to take off at the right distance from them; this take– off will vary slightly with the state of the ground and the athlete's condition, a point it is well to remember. It has been said that straight-legged hurdling is the only proper method, and this is perfectly true, but the statement needs a little qualification. In the first place, there are very few men who are long enough from hip-bone to ankle-joint to throw the leg