Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

196 SUCCESS lN ATHLETICS Let a b represent the javelin travelling in the direction of the arrow heads and c its common centre of gravity. Now assume for the minute that it be grasped at b and thrown. It would naturally be very hard to hold the javelin in this position and maintain the true direction of flight-namely, along ab; there– fore, assuming the error is a b, a force applied at b and with a direction parallel to a b would produce an upward tendency to rotate round c, as shown by the arrow u-or vice versa, should the error be the other side of a b-and it will be easily seen that the nearer the javelin is held to the centre (c), the less likely is this error to occur. Also supposing it to be held at some point near to a, the tendency will be for it to drop in the direction d. Therefore, to maintain the javelin in the line of its true direction of flight, it is essential_that it be held at its absolute " centre of gravity " (c). And it would be advisable for a javelin-thrower to ascertain this exact point by more than merely balancing the javelin in his hand-z'.e. by suspending it by a piece of string and then carefully noting the point-for the slightest deviation is liable to produce error in direction. Let us now briefly summarise the whole effort. 1. The athlete goes to the limit of his measured run, and takes up his position with the shoulders turned squarely in the direction of the throw. 2. He weighs the javelin in the hand until he is quite satisfied that the point of balance is correctly disposed and the arm held in the proper position for the run forward-z'.e. the upper arm parallel to the ground and the hand, holding the javelin, palm