Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

SHOT-PUTTING I77 that the hand should be turned palm upwards, with the thumb over to the right. . During the training the shot-putter must carry out the movements slowly at first and with precision until each detail is mastered; later he can knit them all together in the perfect evolution which must be combined with speed. Above all, he must develop pace, for on the pace at which the circle is crossed depends the ultimate success or failure of the effort ; also, he must give to the shot a good elevation in its flight, and ge~ perfect smoothness of action. As in all the other events, so in this, perfection of style must be attained before the athlete thinks of distance ; therefore he should try to perfect his form day by day, and then try for long puts when he is sure of his movements. " Shadow-putting," by which is meant going through all the actions without the shot in the hand, is most excellent practice. Most healthy men of good physique will be able to put the shot regularly each day without fear of strain ; but if the arm begins to -get tender, a day or two's rest may be taken with advantage. During such a rest period, however, exercises with the one-pound dumb-bells should be taken. For two or three days preceding a competition the athlete should do only light work. Remember that the arm must follow through after the shot has left the hand (for definition of " follow through" see chapter on Hammer-throwing, p. 137). Briefly summarising the whole of the shot-put: The athlete takes up his position in the circle (sketch 1, p. 171) as described. When he is comfortably placed, he kicks strongly upwards with a loose swing of the left leg, and thereafter lets it pass behind the 12