Why? The Science of Athletics

2 IO WHY?-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS In Fig. 36 the weight (W) is further from the fulcrum (F) and nearer to the power (P). The type of foot shown postulates rapidity of action from the short heel, and fast sprinting if the gastrocnemius calf muscle, representing the power, is sufficiently well developed. The other type, seen in Fig. 37 shows a much smaller calf muscle, and a longer heel, with the weight (W) falling almost midway between the power (P) and the fulcrum (F). This type is often exhibited by native runners who travel with a long~ loping stride and can keep on for incredible distances. There are, of course, many other physical charac– teristics for the coach to study, before he can advise the athletes as to their future activities, but one should never be led away by the circumstance of a youngster having done well in some event the year before. Fred Gaby, five times- English High Hurdles Champion, for instance, showed great promise as a sprinter when he first entered athletics, but nothing is more certain than that he would never have achieved, as a runner, the distinction he won as a hurdler. Patience, consideration and ).<in<;lliness should be the watchwords of every coach. He must have the patience to work out for each day exactly what he is going to teach at each session, he should stick to his schedule and never go beyond it ; he must have patience to explain to the squad exactly what he is trying to get them to do, and what should be the result if they follow out his directions. The old days of "Do it because I tell you to" are happily gone for ever. The modern athlete is just one big question mark, and his faults have to be explained tohimintelligently. Consideration on the part of the coach is half the battle but involves a great many matters, the first of which is getting the confidence of his charges. In this connection some of the questions he will constantly be asking himself are : Is the athlete worrying himself because his training is not going -right? Is he getting nervous about the forthcoming contest? Is he out of sorts? Does his food