The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-07-17


the back. Hold the legs and feet out
stretched and rigid until fully covered,
and don't start swimming at once, but
wait until the acquired momentum be-
gins to wane; then take the first stroke
with arms only unless you use q very
narrow crawl thrash, for any marked
opening of the legs produces a notice
able check, acting like brake.
Probably the most important feature
of turning is the approach, for unless
the swimmer reaches the wall or board
with top arm in front and ready he
cannot hope to get around quickly. He
should, therefore, learn to adjust his
last few strokes so as to come up in
the required position. At the point of
spinning about the body must be on its
side, in order to allow deep breath to
| be taken Immediately before lowering
the head for the push-off; then as the
| top arm RECEIVERS the head is thrown
| back and the shoulders are followed.
! This twists the body half around, and
! the turn is completed by a quick push
| from the wall with the extended arm.
! The under arm meanwhile is used to
! back water, so that the hips are brought
close to the wall, when both feet are
rested firmly eight or ten inches be-
low the surface, the arms thrust for
ward and the legs forcibly distended.
The body is then left to glide in plunG-
ing position until its obtained speed be-
gins to slackeD.
| In training for competition excess
sive work must be guarded against,
and particularly speed work. It is pace
that kills. The wisest plan is to alter
nate sprinting practice with middle
distance swimming at moderate gait.
Abuse of the steamroom should also
be avoided. Beyond question it is I'D
viSable for one who enters the nata-
forum chilled and stiff to activate the
circulation with q few minutes of heat
before plunging into the pool, but to
spend long periods in the abnormal
and weakening temperature is decided
ly harmful. Competent trainers assert
that many more swimmers go stale in
the steamroom than in the water.
Alcoholic drinks and stimulants of al
kinds are best left alone, though there
may be times when small quantity
Of beer, ale or claret at meals vii
prove beneficial to a contestant who
has lowered his vitality by overworl
or continued racing.
Smoking, however, is the worst habit
, swimmer can acquire One otter
hears people say that in moderation i
does not affect an athlete, but it un
Questionably does affect a swimmer
for the lungs suffer from it, anC
breathing is one of the most importan
parts of the art of natation.
, No special diet need be prescribed t.
, watermen and hearty meals of plain
wholesome food are advisable, for /;
, bit of surplus flesh makes for imperyi
! BUSINESS to cold, increases the buoyanc.
! and adds to the fund of reserve energy
/ Of course, particularly indigestibl
) foods should be avoided, but in this tn
! individual is the best doctor, for wha
fattens one may poison another.
, Plenty Of sleep is Indispensable E
! the training swimmer An adult shoul
: have seven or eight hours, preferabl
eight, every night; growing boys an
n girls require more, nine hours at leas
: The bedroom should be we'll ventilate
4 and the windows partly opened on re
p firing.
Y During the indoor season, when a
! practice is done in inclosed baths, es
). ercise should be taken frequently
r the fresh air, having care, though, t
O choose some form that will not tend t
q harden the muscles. Walking, espC
cialy in the country. can be strongl
V recommended, and it will prove doubl
a beneficial if deep breathing is indulge
!. in the while.
Any kind of physical effort liable [
d bind or tougher. the muscles must /
is avoided. The body is in ideal ShaI
" for swimming when It's every part
4 supple and flexible and all effort shoul
d be devoted to so making and keeping i
Massage viii help materially, an
" while scientific treatment is NATURAL
Ig the best, even ordinary rubbing an
IS kneading of the muscles answers Il
" purpose. 1t will be found very prof
a. able to self massage the arms legs an
10 front of body, and to apply friction
10 the back with a rough towel, both b
he fore entering the water and after Il
10 practice spin.
Of Regarding the amount of work to |
done in training, there is no way
" formulating even approximate rul
n without writing q whole volume on Il
i'd subject. Much depends on the ply:
e. cal makeup Of the swimmer, the di
,ol lance to be covered, and the numb
IT. of weeks or months available.
1t is advisable, however. to Iengt
tn en- the preparatory period as much
n possible, SO that condition may be q
of quired gradually, without the lea
he strain.
-ly Opinions vary as TO the number
he days week one should swim, but
ms the writer's twenty years of activi
on in water sports he has never know
Die of i'll effects to follow even daily wor
nd sensibly done. The majority Of G
or perts. however, advise a rest of one
al two days a week.