Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-03
LANCER SAYS BEST
STROKE FOR SPRINT
is PLAIN CRAWL,
Western Natator Favors
Trudgeon Crawl for Long
Distance Swimming
TO COMPETE IN NEW YoRK

Ludy LANCER, the Los Angeles A =
| swimmer, who is to compete in New w, y
Saturday in the National A. A. n VnA
| ward championship, is a waterman ~ ~
| modern school Long before attainin,. e y
reputation he applied himself to the so,e..
of natation and to his close study of tbs
| principles of aquatic movement ba ~ NV
tributes large share of his success
His views on the development of wat..
manshlp are interesting and furnish NJ,
liable information.
There is no doubt in my mIndo =.
said, that in most cases the plain o., ,.l =,
Yields best results for sprntine, the tr,,s
geon crawl for distance swimming. vst /,
never recommend either one without sda
ing that personal characteristics should +.
taken in consideration when selecting "
stroke
individual traits play an important ~.
In swimming, and a cycle of moven,sr..
perfectly suited to one may be totally Inv
suited to another The stroke should "a a.,
swimmer not only on general lines hr,>
down to the least detail. Such Items -
length of arm reach, speed of sction. wjd,h
rapidity and rhythm of leg drive ana -
on, must be carefully adjusted to each
man or woman's requirements in order ~
exploit natural physical resources to tn
limit
Should Master Form b
This choice of style consider ons <,
the chief factors In gaining real prohciencv
1t is a common saying that champions AZ.
born, not made. but In swimming no amoun,
of inbred ability will carry very far lin.
less combined with a scientific, well-era.
cuted and suitable stroke.
"The all too prevalent habit of taldps
UP racing before mastering form cannot
be preached against enough for 1t is i'm.
possible TO correct faults when devotInr
every effort to making time, and the svln
mer who enters the field unprepared dooms
himself unavoidably to mediocrity.
'The only way to acquire form Is throuvh
constant practice at moderate pace, paying
close attention to every movement. II Il
this easy swimming, regularly done, that
gradually builds up the champion, giving
him the Indispensable style and at the sams
time fitting his muscles and lungs for ia
work in sight
"And think every contestant should
have technical knowledge of the art Of nata.
tion and of the principles which govern
human speed and endurance In the water.
No Training Rules
IT know racing men who WIN try anythins
new, irrespective of It's source. and men
80 narrow-minded that nothing will per-
suade them to take advice. Both systems
initiate against success. The wise plan
is to study ones subject and learn TO
weigh with good Judgment all innovations
adopting or discardins as knowledge die.
tates.
For training no general rules can Be
The amount of work to b.
done must depend on the constitution Of ths
swimmer, the time available for prepara-
ton and the distance to be covered Exps-
rlence is the only teacher. Always, though
one should start with period of construc.
tive work. doing short stretches at slow gss
and trying to eliminate the smallest fauh
Later the pace is increased by degrees but
even then fast and moderate practices
should be intermingled.
ITO young swimmers recommend pa.
tience and perseverance. Speed does not
come over night. It takes years of faith
tul ard painstaking work to develop cham.
plonship ability.
mot every man is granted tho qualities.
lions for becoming a champion. but any
one may acquire sufficient skill to make
competing worth while and to find swim
ming an enjoyable means OF attaining or rs.
aiming vigorous health"