ARM ACTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17125, 4 December 1929, Page 3

ARM ACTION

ADVICE TO SPRINTERS WHICH IS THE BEST STYLE ? (Notes by “Discus”) No particular branch of form in running gives rise to so much discussion as which is tho best arm action, and opinions on this very important subject arc varied. The arms • in sprinting serve a two-fold purpose; to assist the stride and to help balance tho body, in order to maintain a smooth action. The first is of most, importance to sprinters, and the latter in distance running. Whilst the arms are swinging in front of tho body tho weight is forward and helpful. When the swing is carried backwards behind the shoulder-line, Ibis forward “pull” is lost. This is so palpable that it should strike everyone. If the arms are swung too high, the effect is to lift the stride upwards. As almost every great authority on running agrees that a low stride is the best, it will again be realised that the hands should not be unduly high at the end of the forward swing Some interesting advice is contained in an article written by A. B. George, winner of 12 championships in Great Britain and Canada. Extracts from the article are given below. THE AMERICAN STYLE

“Briefly, the ideal arm. swing, judged by my observations and inquiries in different- parts of the world, is that in which the arms are fully extended, or nearly so; the swing to be from the shoulder, working independently and not locked, or the body will sway from side to side. The swing should be practically straight forward, the hands never being brought more across than the centre of the body. Sprinters should cultivate, a. feeling of looseness from the waist upwards. Clenching of jaws and bands is to much waste of energy. Always remember that the “pull”' is lost if the swing is behind, so it should be from the shoulder line forward, with the hands as low as or lower than the. hips. “Most of the leading coaches in the United States favor the bent arm style. The arm is bent, at the elbow, but in other 'respects' the swing generally conforms to what I recommend. Many American sprinters use what may he termed the piston' style; arm bent at elbow, so that the hands are pointed towards'the winning line, and the swing is forward and back, but the hands are not carried much behind the shoulder line “I feel strongly that tho extended arms ensure better balance and greater assistance. In proof thereof, try a standing jump with the arms extended, and with the arms locked at the elbow. When I first saw Harry Hutchens run I thought ho did not look much like a champion. He, had a very deceiving action, gliding, along with a low stride and smooth body carriage so that his pace seemed slower than it. actually was. Ho carried his arms fully extended throughout the swing. which was straight forward from the shoulder, exactly as I recommend. “Charles Paddock stands nut as. a wonderful sprinter, and his arm swing is a. paradox He swings fairly low For half way, and then so high that. his hands reach a level with his head. Like most American sprinters he bends his arms at the elbow. Wonderful sprinter as Paddock, has proved himself to he,

I should not hold Ids stylo up as an example to follow, as he often became unbalanced towards the end of 'a race and finished with his head on one siilo, and one shoulder pointing straight to the tape. TTis famous jump for the tape, which bo exploited at times, does not appeal to mo.”

LOCAL TRACK JOTTINGS. Running outside her lane in the 75yds ladies’ handicap on Thursday resulted in Miss E. Siret being disqualified. Starting from the limit mark, she was well in front all' the way, and caused no actual interference to the other competitors. Yet the rules of the club must be recognised, ibr bad her error been overlooked on this occasion, some misunderstanding might have occurred in the future. It was her first appearance here.

Some of the back-markers in the quar-ter-mile on Thursday might have gained a place had the race been run in heats.

O. G. McDonald, the veteran, runner of the club, did surprisingly well off 6yds. in the -men’s century on Thursday. Ho should give a creditable performance if he starts in the 30Qyds. handicap to-morrow. Little is heard of the work performed by the committeemen who have the responsibility each week of ureparing the track. Rome members spend hours every Thursday in mowing the grass and 1 marking in the lanes and handicaps, but this work is seldom recognised by spectators and competitors.