The Athlete for 1866

114 HINTS ON TRAINING. upon, as it not onlyeases tlie jar of the drop, but gives a jumper more ceufi- dence wlien he feels secure fromthe chances of a twist of the ankleson touch­ ing the ground. It need not be added that good condition and ruddy health is as necessary to jumping as to any other exercise, and is, moreover, an index that the muscles are equalto the task imposed on them. The best high turf jump well authenticated is 5 ft. 9,' in. This has been done several times by amateurs. W. Tait is reported to have jumped 6 ft.4 in.; but the exact sort of taking off is not mentioned. (5ft. 6 in., and more, has been jumped off a board raised ."iin. at its highest end. Hard turf, with very line ashes rolled in untilthe surface is quite level, makes the best fair taking-off place both for high and broad jumping. BROAD JUMPING. Less preparation is required forbroad jumping than forany other recognised athletic amusement. The same caution, however, with regard to sudden strains must be exercised in practice. Begin with a few jumps about twelve feet or so, taking your run for them slowly, starting about twentyyards off and quicken­ ing in the last few strides. The great objectto be guarded against is taking off too far from the mark, orgetting out of step in the run ; this can only be obviated by practising at a certain distance until the necessary swing of the last few strides is acquired. The run to thejump cannot be too fast; in the air the legs should be raised as in going over a high jump, and thrown as far forward on landing as canhe done with bothheels close together. ^Nofear need be en­ tertained offalling back on alighting if the run is sufficiently fast and the land­ ing-place level and soft; the impetus derived from the rungive'i the heaviest part of the jumper, the trunk, sufficient momentum to carry itself forward when the progress of the feet and legs is arrested. The landing-place should be soft to thedepth of eight inches, and sufficientlybinding to show the marks of the heels clearly onalighting; clay and mould mixed make the best landinground. A soft placeto jump on will prevent any jar to the knees, and will give the jumper greater confidence. The concussion caused by landing on hard ground may sometimes cause a serious accident. The longest distance that has ever been jumped was afew inches over 29ft. 7in. The jumper in this instance took off from an inclined board, three inches above the ground at its highest end,and helda dumb-bell in each hand, which he threw backwards when in mid air, by this means giving his body, as it were, a second impulse. The best fair broad jump on the flat well authenticated was 21ft. 2in. HAMMER THROWING. Hammer throwing has, until lately, been quite anovelty in athleticamuse­ ments, and even now it is only just feeling its way into the stereotyped pro­ grammes. "They do those things bett n- in Scotland," for, beyondthe Cheviot Hills, it isthe popular game of the athletes, and as one that combines great knack of motion and much muscular power, it is second to few. The muscles of the loins and back are the ones principally brought into play, and by their development they become extremelyserviceable in assisting the spine to bear the weight of the upper portions of the body. The practice of this kind of exercise must, therefore, bo fcaneficial to those whoso lungs or heart are too delicate to stand any of those"spoils suclj avowing, running, &c., which so particularly tax their working powers. Commence practising with a hammer about 71ba,until