METCALFE COACHING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26545, 21 August 1947, Page 2

METCALFE COACHING

With a view to improving the standard of performance in the allimportant Olympic season next yeaj:. the Victorian Amateur Athletic Association a few weeks ago inaugurated a coaching school, with Jack Metcalfe, a former holder of the world’s Hop, Step and Jump record, and a brilliant all-round field event man who toured New Zealand some years ago, in charge. Mr B. R. McKernan. a member ol the Otago Cpntre. who was in Melbourne at the time, said ‘that Metcalfe showed films of the 1936 Olympic Games in slow motion and in reverse, and the films and Melcalfe’s criticism were the best he had ever heard, leaving little doubt that the lecturer was an expert on this branch of the sport. Mr McKernan did not agree with Metcalfe’s remarks in sprinting, which he described as revolutionary in fhat. the runners were told to come straight out of the starting holes and not to lean forward over the first 20 yards. Sound coaches and sprinters do not agree with Metcalfe’s view and Mr McKernan quoted a leading American coach, Dean Cromwell, who said: “ The first thing for the sprinter to remember when he springs from the starting holes Is to lean well forward.” Mr McKernan, however, enjoyed the lectures, and he thinks the Victorian Association is working on the right lines in coaching its athletes during the winter months. JUNIOR NATIONAL CUP It was generally agreed amongst 'Canterbury followers who witnessed the good showing made by the Mornington juniors that they possess an excellent chance of winning the final at Wellington on Saturday, and local supporters will wish them every success. This will be their second final, as they were defeated for the title by Marist (Wellington) by 4 goals to 2 in 1 Q4k.