THE ART OF STARTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 55

THE ART OF STARTING.

Bx Arthtfk F. Duffey.

On the start depends the race, and starting is the most difficult part of sprinting for the beginner to master. The old method' of an upright standing start- has gone out of date. The proper method of starting is the "crouching" start. First the hands must be on the line, the forward foot being sin behind. 1 the line, one knee touching the ground, and level with the instep of the forward' foot. At the "caution" from the starter the athlete approaches the line and assumes this easy position. At the next word, "Get set," raise the back knee from the ground, throwing the weight of the entire body on the forward knee, and let the body fall forward as if you were going to fall on your face. Hold your breath all the time you are on the mark. At the report of the pistol push the ground' away with your hands — this will raise your body. Push hard with both feet simultaneously, and, although you appear to be falling forward, your momentum keeps you up, and before you realise it you are flying down the track. Now you are going— pay uo attention.

whatever to your opponent' ; keep your head up, and look straight forward all Iho tinip iviin ft? if you were running aloi.e, whether your opponent is ahead or behind you.

After leaving- the mark try to acquire a bounding stop similar to a rubber ball, and stride well from the hip-, ■« hich gi\ cs you the advantage of a longer slride. While I am barely sft 7iti in height, I take a stride in racing of 9ft, as big as. that taken by Bernic Wofers, the former champion, who is 6ft lin. On Hearing the tape, say about- 10ft away, the runner should pull himself together with all the force that he can command.

Put out &vovy effort, wherever your opponent may be, and fall forward, or practically throw yourself bodily on the tapo at the finishing line. This will gain you many inches, and win. you many a race. Of course, the stride, the start, the spurt, and the finish must all be practised separately, a good' spurt and finish being fully as essential as a good start, which, a* I have said before, is half the race. To become a good sprinter you must tr after the art of breathing. As the runner approaches the mark afc the cautionary command to "Got set," the inhalation should be deep, but not to the full expansion of the chest. The breath should then be held during the time you are crouched on the mark. Your whole attention should then be concentrated to. listening to the pistolcrack. Keep totally oblivious to everything else — in fact, hold yourself literally in breathless suspense. At the crack of the ifun, force the air from the lungs by a quick ejaculation or grnnt. This helps your Etart, just as a pugilist adds force to his blow by grunting as he drives it home. Catch another deep breath with a gasp instantly, which will be in your, second stride, and hold that breath until the tape is reached (in a 50yds or 60yd? sprint), when you will involuntarily gasp it out as you reach the tape.

Although this is an awful strain, the athlete will become used to it,, and perc-eivo its advantage. In a longer race of 100 yds I take two breaths, the second one being at about 60yds, which lasts me to the finish. The breathing must be done through the mouth, as it reaches the lungs quicker. Never entirely empty your dungs ; the minute you do you collapse, and lose your speed.

A beginner should practise breathing daily according to these rules, and should expand the chest and lungs by the chest weights.

The arms should be developed as well as the legs, a-s they play an important part in sprinting. On rising from the start clench your fists, bring the left arm diagonally across the chest as the rear foot is pushed forward. Then swing each arm across the body alternately in unison with the stride. This cross motion of the arms I have found proves a great help to maintain in<r the "bounding" stride. Great care should be taken, when practising this motion, that the arms are not swung too far, or the assistance will be nullified.

The body should be carried at an incline forward' of about 80 degree". Many a race is lost by a man carrying his body upright and rigid, both of which retard the speed. In conclusion I would lay down the following rules : Let the diet be plain. Dispense with pastries, candies, and, above all, i ever smoke or drink alcoholic liquids when training. You will be better without the two, better at all times. Cigarettes are fatal to athletes. Bathe daily, and always use rough towels after a bath, and' after taking any exercise. Never over-exert yourself, nor exhaust all your strength, in any trial. Always finish your training with "something left in you." Only work ibe hardest in. the race itself.

B3 r practising these principles, and persisting in them until they are entirely mastered, you will gain strength and increase your speed to a degree beyond jour expectations. Finally, let. me impress on all aspiring athletes the fact that rigidness of purpose end steady perseverance in training are as essential as are bull-dog determination and grit in the actual race.