Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-07-27
THE TRUDGEoN STROKE

perts that In developing the double
oyerarm stroke we had discovered
the means for ably exploiting the
strength of the arms, but that neither
the trudgeon nor the crawl permitted
us to gain all possible propulsion from
the legs. While therefore 1t would be
extremely rash to assert that the COM
posite scissor stroke could not be i'm
proved upon, yet the fact that 1t elm
mates almost entirely the negative
movements Of resistance and also has
more driving power shows unques-
tionably that we have at least drawn
step nearer the goal of all students
of natation-the finding Of the perfect
stroke.
In swimming the single type of trud-
geon-crawl the body should roll SEN
sibly on the under shoulder as the
top arm drives, for II one travels on
an even keel the working lower leg
rises out of water in opening and q
portion of its drive Is made through
thin air and totally wasted For the
same reason it is essential to roll
rather heavily from side to side in
using the double type. that both scis-
sors may be performed completely be-
meath the surface. The roll. however,
is not necessary In sprinting, as will
be explained.
Let it first be understood, though.
that the width of the scissor and both
the width and speed OF the following
thrash are determined by the distance
to be covered, naturally taking into
consideration, besides, the resources
Of each individual.
Indeed. the combination stroke be-
comes practically a pure crawl when
used for sprinting. since the scissors
are then made sol narrow that they
barely outspan the accompanying
thrash, merging with 1t completely
and only being distinguishable by q
forcible accenting of the rhythm. Evil
IDENTIFY there is no need here to roll
beyond the point Of securing clean
recovery for the arms.
When 1t comes to travelling courses
longer than 100 yards, however, the
scissor is widened gradually with the
increasing distance and the roll must
be emphasized accordingly. The lead
ing authorities claim that best results
are obtained by never letting the
heels separate further than the shout
der lines, as larger opening causes
resistance TO the water which offsets
the slight advantage gained from the
stronger sweep Of the legs. But this
point Is debatable George Hodgson
OF Canada, the Olympic 400 and 1900
meter record holder. uses and advo-
Gates spread Of about 80 inches.
The thrash between scissors is also
adjusted to the pace being held, but in
inverse ration. That is, the drives
are fast, energetic and comparatively
wide IN sprinting, slower, less vigor-
Gus and narrower as the journey in
creases in length, until they become
no more than gentle, flutter. This is
the general rule, of course, subject
always to the laws Of personality 1t
is for every man, or his coach, to as
certain just how much energy he can
devote to the leg drive.
Until quite recently. the trudgeon-
crawl was confined entirely TO Ameri-
can swimmers, but its value Is now
being recognized In foreign countries.
In book just published by the ANA
teur Swimming Association Of Great
Britain, J. G. Hatfield OF Middles-
brough, the worlds one mile record
holder, writes about it:
Il have adopted the trudgeon-crawl
and believe it is eminently suited for
distance swimming. First. because
the movements are all natural; sec.
ond, because the arms and legs under
take their fair proportion OF the work;
third, because while the legs perform
double stroke there Is not undue
fatigue owing to different muscles be-
ing brought into play; fourth. because
breathing is effected without the
slightest difficulty or strain, the nat
ural roll of the body offering ample
opportunity for full inspiration at no
detriment to speed.
Hodgson, the mentioned Olympic
champion, also swims a stroke which
comes under the heading Of the trud.
geon-crawl. although it Is generally
cIassed as pure trudgeon. In fact
he allows his legs to cross after per-
forming the regulation scissors, relax
es them for an instant then sweeps
them back with some force, thereby
getting another propelling drive. This
return kick takes the place of the pre-
scribed thrash. The same principle
exactly.
One is frequently asked by young