The Washington times., 1922-08-06
NEW ATHLETE
SYSTEM TRIED
AT ANNAPOLIS
Aim to Turn Out Good Physical
Specimens After Course at
Naval Academy.
BY HUGH RILEY.

BY HUGH RILEY.
A NNAPoLIS, Aug. g. The
~ first stages Of the compre.
- hensive and efficacious sys-
tenn of physical training and ath-
letics at the Naval Academy is
now being carried out with the
$50 members of the new class as
subjects.
While the development Of the
necessary physical strength and
agility for the average officer of
the service Is the direct objective
Of the system, the training In
athletics, also, is more than an IN
direct consideration. IL is well
settled at the Naval Academy that
athletics has a most important
place in the training Of the mid
shipman and officer.
1t has been determined by the
physical examination to which every
candidate was subjected that. al
though the new midshipman may
not be a particularly fine physical
specimen at present. he has In him
the possibilities OF development. In
the few instances where mistakes
have been made. the rigorous rou-
tine Of the plebe summer soon de-
velops them.
The drills. including settings up.
and the rowing during the summer
training course furnish the means
OF speedily determining the mldship-
men who cannot stand the pace. A
few cannot hold out. but the large
majority stick to II, and the improve
ment in strength and general con.
dition by the end OF the summer In
very notable. ..
Have Good System.
There is also a very complete and
accurate system OF physical examirld'
tions and prescriptions. Delicate ap.
paratus determine the strength OF
every set of muscles of each new
midshipman. When II 10 found that
certain muscles or sets OF muscles
tine OF exercise is prescribed for that
midshipman.
Sometimes, only a course on some
apparatus, such as the weights, will
reach the trouble. At other times,
work on some gymnastic apparatus
is necessary. II possible, however,
the deficient midshipman is set at
some open air sport In which the use
OF the particular muscles In neces-
sary. This is more interesting. and,
II has been found, yields better results
as rule.
The new midshipmen are now well
started in their instruction In ath'
letics. This Is distinct from the or
dinary physical training, but closely
In touch with II for athletics is not
considered a mere branch Of physi.
cal training at the Naval Academy,
but a means by which. with tncidcn-
tai physical benefit, the participants
may be trained In many qualities
useful TO them as men and as COM
ing officers of the navy,
The Essential Qualities
Self control, quickness Of thought
and action, team play, leadership
cooperation and controlled fighting
spirit, are all qualities essential to
the officer, and these, II is believed
from the experience at the Academy
may all be developed and strength,
rened through rightly directed athle.
tics, of which competition with the
teams OF other institutions is an es-
sential.
Not only is II considered necessary
that officers should be trained along
these lines, but the training Is the
same, to the degree possible among
the enlisted men of the service. To
this end, the training Of the mid
shipmen Is intended to make them
capable instructors and leaders OF
their men in athletics, at later
period OF the service In the navy.
The Naval Academy has originated
and developed the splendid system by
which every student receives instruc.
ton In every branch Of athletic
sports and actually participates in
them In some measure. He is not
controlled, however, as to his choice
OF sports in which he will compets
for team membership
Worked Out Details.
The details of this system were
worked out by Commander Douglas
l.. Howard, athletic officer at the
Academy. and Lieut-Commander WI
liam A. Richardson, formerly as
sistant athletic officer and gymna
sium officer.
They also assembled the fine staff
of athletic instructors and prepared
the necessary text books. lcharts
etc. some OF the work OF Lieut.
Commander Richardson along thi'