Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

22 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS Before proceeding to a detailed description of the correct method to be employed in running a sprint race after the start (already described) has been made, it may be as well to point out that there are two entirely distinct types of sprinters, each type having a totally distinct action. Let us first consider the big, heavy, upstanding, well-split-up type - for instance, " Tex" Ramsdell, E. W. Haley, and C. W. Taylor- who generate their momentum principally by long striding and shooting out the leg from the knee as it comes forward. As to their shorter brethren, so to them the arm work is equally important for balance, if not more so ; by reason of their greater length of limb, it naturally follows that they are able , to encompass a greater length of stride. Smaller men, such as Duffey, Walker, and Apple– garth, are not without their advantages, their com– pactness of build giving them a greater amount of body control than is usually possessed by the bigger man ; hence the necessity for greater balance. They are also able to do their work with the body thrown well forward with less chance of loss of equilibrium ; the legs shoot out from the hips with a curiO\lS thrust of . the pelvis, by which means they accom– plish as long a stride as that taken by the taller men. The arms are carried low, and seem to " punch" the body forward at every stride. Concerning the arm action, which is of the greatest importance, the arms -should be allowed to swing loosely out from the shoulder, balanc-ing the body; at the same time it must be pointed out that the swing is from the hand to the shoulder; but the shoulder does not follow the hand as it swiQgs to