Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-14
ATHLETICS IN ARMY
Important Order Issued by
General Corbin.
SOLDIERLY STRENGTH
IT'S INCREASE THE AIM OF THE
NEW PROJECT.
An Officer to Be Detailed at Each Post
to Superintend the Exercises-Field
Days Provided For.

In order to promote physical training, en-
courage interest and arouse zeal in athletic
games, sports and exercises among the
troops in the department of the east, IN
clud!ng all those at posts In this vicinity,
Maj. Gen. Corbin commanding the depart
ment, has issued general order prescrib-
ing course of systematic instruction in
physical culture. The plan prescribed, he
says, is based On these general principles:
'.The strength of the soldier is determined
by the strength of his weakest physical
part-hence, every effort should be made
toward strengthening the weak points of
the soldier, and not toward increasing the
power of muscles already strong.
Everything possible should be done to
produce all-around athletes, and not spe-
cialists in particular lines or in a limited
number of athletic exercises-hence, eXer-
cises which result in great benefit to many
are preferable to those which result in
great benefit to only few.
with the view to obtaining the best re-
suits for the greatest number contests
should be so arranged and managed as to
arouse interest and friendly rivalry between
squads, platoons, companies and battalions
rather than between individuals-conse-
quently special attention Should be given to
team work and to team competition"
The order says:
Post Athletic Superintendent.
"An officer preferably one who is inter-
ested N the subject, Will be detailed at each
post as Superintendent OF athletics. He will
keep records showing all receipts and ex-
penditures of athletic funds, and will en-
courage athletics, over which, under the
post commander. he will have general su-
rervision Except when the troops are In
the field, on practice marches, in camps Oh
u atlZy god a r.
get practice or field exercises, the superin-
tendent of athletics will superintend the sys-
tematic instruction of the command IN cal
isthenics. athletic and gymnastic exercises
for thirty minutes a day,~fourf times Week
sThe year shall be divided into two Pc
riods--the first period from November
to October 81. = Wheneyer praticables
1 to October 81. Whenever practicable
instruction win be held out of doors.
ssInstrucfors must constantly keep IN
mind and follow the directions contained in
Koehiers Manual of Calisthenics,' under
the headings Advice TO Instructors and:
'HFkfene.'
: THE superintendent OF athletics will see
that the exercises are constantly varied, IN
order that interest may not lag; and that
the instructions In regard to breathing and
hygtena are thoroughly understood and
followed. The mind must be put into the
work and the will-power concentrated upon
the exercises, that the muscles may feel
the strain This is the fundamental prin-
clple of successful physical training.
First period. The instruction shall be
In ealisthenics in the dumb-bell, bar-bell,
Indian club and rife drills and medicine
ball exercise, and in boxing, wrestling and
fencing with single sticks, foils. broad
swords and fencing muskets.
In the Second Period.
Second period. The progression will con-
tinue but the exercises will be more strict
ly athletic.
ne latte
pended or from any other source. the su-
perintendent OF athletics will prescribe the
instruction during this period, and shall
divide it into three courses, having due re-
gard to climatic conditions and the gym
nastic apparatus at the post. 5Ihe hrst
course will be composed of the simplest ex-
ercises, and will be given between April
/ and the field day; the second coul Sc Will
be composed of more difficult exercises ana
will be given between the first and second
field days; the third course will be COM
posed of the most difficult exercises, and
will be given between the second and third
field days. After the third field day, and
until the end of the athletic year, October
81 practice will be held in all the previous
exercises.
."rhe instruction during the second period
will be at least as complete aa the follow
ing:
backward, sdeward, upward and deep
ditch; two standing broad jumps; three
standing broad jumps; hop, step and jump;
leap frog; Ginning the bar; cnmplnS iaddar'
pole and rope; hand ball; putting sixteenth.
shot, throwing sixteenth. hammer; throw
ing base ball for accuracy and for distance;
wrestling, any hold; running broad Jump,
high Jump hop, step and jump and deep
ditch Jumping; walking one-half and Que
mile. - ON.
Second course-Running 100 yards, 220
yards and $50 yards; hurdles, f20 yards and
900 wards; pyramids, two tiers and three
tiars. kicking font hall for accuracy and for
distance; wall scaling
Third course-Vaulting, tug of war, run
ming 40 yards and 1 mile, acrobatic feats.
relay races, running in light marching Or
der.
Company and post exchange councils
should make liberal appropriations for the
purchase of striking bags boxing gloves
foils, broadswords, snowshoes. skis run
ming Shoes base ball bats, foot balls, etc.
..At post where 1t is practicable, the com
manding officers will designate suitable
athletic field, which shall be prepared and
used for systematic training and for field
days The quartermaster will render every
assistance compatible with the regulations
in preparing this field, and making such
eymnast apparatus may be constructed
at the post.
..Mer. more than forty years of age will
not be required to take the instruction pre-
scribed in the second period.
sSports such as skating, snoWshoing,
skiing swimming, etc. VIII be encouraged.
.Oficers should interest themselves In
and encourage among the ENLISTED men such
games as tennis, golf quoits, polo, base
hall foot ball etc The instruction pre-
scribed- herein will commence at once, be-
ginning the work outlined for the second
period.
Regular Field Days.
"About the middle of May, about July
and about the middle of August post conf
manders will designate one day as field
day. on which day all duty except the nec-
essary guard and -fstigue will be suspend
ed and the day devoted to military and
athletic contests. Every effort will be made
to give the day the air of a holiday, de-
voted to amusement and recreation. When
practicable music will be furnished for the
occasion.
Post commanders may grant officers
and men permission under proper restric-
tions. to visit other posts for the purpose
of taking part In athletic contests.
sThe contests on the various field days.
will be OF progressive nature, sufficiently