The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-30

point In the way of training would De OF
no value beyond that time, and It would
seem that his best plan would be to STUDY
himself and find out just what sort anu
amount of work suit him best.
A youngster, and his elders, too, Tor that
matter, can be shown the various ways OF
going about some athletic exercises, but no
one can honestly say he can make You run a
hundred yards In 10 seconds or make you
leap "a feet.
In every kind of athletic feat the easiest
way Is the best so 1t is pointed out that
the more natural the method used the easier
the game will be. Everything tried, whether
running, jumping, hurdlng or what not,
must become as near matter OF course as
Is possible, so that when a competition Is
reached there will be no thought required
as to whether the game will be performed as
well as lies within the athletes power
The purpose Of this series is to show boys
how to practice various sports In way
which has been found to bring about good
results and to try and make the methods TO
be pursued as easy as their C's.
Short distance running or sprinting Is
probably the most popular Of the track
games taken up by American youngsters,
because OF it's seeming easy nature. 1t looks
anything but difficult for boy to take his
mark In short race, wait for the word,
and then race on to the finish.
He may beat his fellows, or, on the other
hand, lie may be beaten In such an easy way
as to discourage his further trials. His de.
feat may have been caused by his lack Of
knowledge Of starting or an unfinished style
OF running or a lack of speed.
II Is therefore to be taken for granted that
IL he had had In his minds eye the best
known method of starting, or smoother
way of running, the game would be so much
easier as to be enjoyable, and with these two
points learned speed seems sure to ensue.
To this end starting and the proper style
of running will be taken up. The rule pur-
sued by starters is to give the word for run
ners to take their mark, get set, and walt for
the word.
The down start, or crouch, is the best
known way of taking position for short dis
lance races. The front foot, usually the
left. is placed about nine inches back of the
starting line, but must be kept fiat. The
push-off leg is put far enough back to enable
the knee of that leg to just reach the heel
of the front foot. The hands are spread
web-like on the starting line, about 10 inches
apart.
When the order to get set is given the
runner, having been ON his mark awaiting
IT, reaches forward so that his hands just
reach the line. He brings his hips up
trihe higher than his head, and in such
way as to insure his getting strong push
from the rear leg, and just enough OF
brace from his hands as to prevent his go
ing over the line. There should be no
chance. however, for him to move away be-
fore the word is given If his front heel Is on
the ground. The ball of the foot is only used
in the push off leg.
He is then ready for the starters word
and should try and look down the track in
the direction of the finish.
Most runners have a goas-you-please
style, which, while 1t sometimes wins has
no chance against more finished running,
everything else being equal Is
| The athlete when running should learn to
| bring his knees well up and reach out with
| the foreleg in manner which will Increase
| the length of stride at no expense OF
strength. The arms should be moved from
the elbow down. although the upper arm
must not be rigid, In a position which can
he best described as three-quarters forward
and one-quarter side. The smoother the
arm action the easier running will be.
In distance work the legs must be kept a.
well behind as possible, and there must be
no inclination to reach out, as In sprinting.
Every bit of effort in the way Of reaching
out will rob the athlete of his strength and
place him at a disadvantage when he wants
to use his sprint or speed in the last part
Of the race.