The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-23
POINTS ON INDOOR A1nLErros.
Methods and Doaees which Ars Notice.
nhle ut ArnorH Gnmaa.

"~A --N
The indoor athletic season, which opened ut
the Forty.seventh Regiment nrmory on Nov.
10, promises 20 play a moro important part In
the winters sport than IL has done for soma
years. The list of fixtures has already out
grown normal proportions, and the indications
point 10 an interesting succession of tourna-
ments right up TO April. with such n cheerful
perspective to inspire them, athletic school
boys and adults are alike enthusiastic In dis
cussinR the possibilities and preparing them-
selves TOR the effort needed to win . share Of
the honors and trophies In sight.
Those who have been through the mill be-
fore realize that II Will DO n case of the sur
vival of the 1ttest," and are going about their
training in methodical style. Their tactics
should furnish some valuable object lessons
10 the younger aspirants, who are often apt to
let their enthusiasm carry them to extremes
before their physical condition aas been toned
mp To a point when q severe effort may DO at
tempted without danger Of serious reaction.
The youngsters should also remember that
they do not really need more than half the
preparatory work of their heavier and moro
muscular seniors. Tho active, healthy minor
can skip the worst of the ordeal. His stomach
and wind are usually In good working order.
while the senior who has grown rusty In some
sedentary occupation may require weeks OF
slow, persistent practice to get his internal
machinery into normal condition. Then, too,
he unhappy senior who may be weighted down
with superfuous fesh has TO devote great care
and perseverance to the reducing process.
while the supple youngster has NO occasion to
worry over any little fat with which his grow
ing muscles may be covered. Provided he car
free action of the heart and other organs
brought into play, the young. athlete can az.
lord !, 70 strip a bit r, s morc IN IN n. ,sSt IT, t bn,f Eshera an
than wastinE, and for this reason the amount
of pressure put on should be gauKed with OK.
treme care.
There Is considerable difference, of opin-
ion Us to the style of progression most efec-
tive on board floors. In this connection II Is
the game E.. ". Hiertbers, Gabe" Holiander.
and Z. j. Corley move with u conspicuously
A. a'sa Goo o11na' and W. wv. a. " de- po .esta Tmi' Close $;
to the surface all the way. changing their feet
smo,thly and ,ithout any waste of action.
score. but these will suffice to show that style
makes no ma,erial difference, as far as get
by admirers of free high striding, that thcre
is lees Jar and conclusion in the other method.
and that the low. running athlete can stand
a longer campaign on the boards. All, how
ever, suffer moro or loss in the shank and
thigh muscles when the venue changes
drill floors. Much of the jar can be negatiycd
by the use OF shoes having thick rubber soles.
The latter should be we'll roukhened and ros-
ined to insure the runners footing. especially
At the turns.
Shoes with masked spikes are occasionally
resorted to, but they are tabooed In several
armories as injurious to the flooring. The
custom should be either generally recognized
or abolished, as IL introduces an element OF
unfairness when all the contestants are not
equit ped alike. The spikes enable q man TO
get OFF the mark faster and rush the corenrs
without fear or running out. while his rubber
skod rivals are trying to answer the helm as
best they can.
Another element of unfairness Is tho fro
quently noticeable at indoor games. and as
there are two remedies for II, some action
should be promptly taken. In some armories
the inner border OF the track is merely indi-
Gated by q broad strip OF white paint, and this
TACT leads to corner cutting" and other dodRes
for making up leeway which are distinctly for
hidden by the rules. Certain back markers are
habitual offenders in his respect, and occa-
sionally the steal Is so apparent that specta-
tors grow disguised. In o.her armOries a raised
curb ut each corner prevents good deal of
this shady AmRteurism. but even at such
thoroughly equipped arenas as that of the
Twelfth Regiment the curb does not always
justify Its name. One of the two remedies men
toned would be TO have q higher curb, and the
o!h-r is 10 ne found in the a. A. u r1io. which
says:
In all races on tracks with one o. more turns
the 20 mpctitor shall not GROSS TO the inner edge of
the track except when he IL n; least ak feet In adj
vance OF his neAres. competitor.
The referee shall disqualify from that event any
competitor who wilfully pushes against, impedeo,
crosses toe course OF, or in any way fnterferes with
another competitor.