ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1926, Page 4

ATHLETICS

THE ART OF STARTING OPINIONS OF GREAT ATHLETES. (By “Ako Started.”) How many and varied are the opinions of present-day athletes in regard to that most controversial subject, “The Art of Starting.” Many are the athletes who have spent many a sleepless night worrying in the thought that their start would lose them the sprint championship. As the track season is just starting, it would be well to pay some little attention to the start. But the athlete must bear in mind that too much “pistol practice” is as bad as too little, and causes more breakdowns than anything else in athletics. As the subject is so open to discussion it will be best to take notice of the opinions of two of the best authorities of today, Mr. A. B. George, manager of the British Olympic team, and winner of many international championships, and Harold Abrahams, who represented England at the Olympic Games and won the 100 yards in time equalling the world's record. First of all, it may be of interest to traverse the various ways of starting from the old style to the present. By doing this many advantages may be seen in the present style, while many still adhere to the opinion that the old way is the better, and that the times in comparison are just as good as those put up by the followers of the “down” start as the present day method is called. Until the late ’eighties athletes stood up and toed the mark, some of the positions assumed being very strange. Some men stood sideways, with both arms carried to the right rear, and when the pistol cracked they were swung round in a sweeping motion as an aid. The general plan was to place the left toe to the line and crouch over this, with the left arm extended. At the report of the pistol the left-front-foot made what was termed a “dab,” merely a step of al: (ut six inches. The rear foot then came through for the first actual stride. A moment’s thought will suggest that the wrong arm was extended, and that the dab was absolutely a waste of time. SUGGESTED EXPERIMENT. The objection against the “up” start was the greater likelihood of unsteadiness and the risk of going over the line. It also took longer to learn to start properly from the upright than it does to acquire a fair amount of efficiency from the down position. It is my belief that some men, given a calm and collected nature, could learn to start as well from a stand as in the newer form. Indeed, it is possible some might do better. One has to be upright, or nearly so, before top speed is possible, so it would be some advantage to assume that position from the beginning. In a correct up start the right arm would be extended, assuming the left foot were foremost. At the crack of the pistol the right-rear-leg would oome through for the first stride, whilst the left, or rear, arm would be thrown forward in conformity with the first stride. This represents running correctly from the very start, and it might pay some of our athletes to give this a proper trial. ORIGIN OF THE MODERN START. In the late ’eighties Charley Sherrill, of Yale University, and the New York A.C., adopted what was known then as the crouch start. He put the extended hand on the line so as to prevent going over. Other athletes eventually followed his example, and gradually the present method was evolved. Before commencing pistol practice, it is. necessary to get the muscles in proper shape to stand the strain. Further, always take care to warm up thoroughly before going to the mark. Massage in the dress-ing-room, the wearing of long underpants, and plenty of cantering, about to stretch and warm the muscles all play a part. Nor is it advisable to rest satisfied with having half a dozen starts with the pistol, merely doing the same thing each time. Study others, noting quick and slow beginners, and trying to account for their ability and failing. It pays to study and ponder over problems. One of the very first things to learn is the position on the mark which best suits one. There are certain broad principles, says Mr. George, which serve as a guide, but it is sometimes necessary to modify slightly these so as to conform to the build of the athlete. His position must suit the length of his arms, body, and so on. The hands are placed on the mark, and the left foot is usually the one- advanced. It is generally placed about five inches behind the line. The position of the rear foot will depend on the length of one’s body and limbs. As a rule, the right knee should be in line wtih the middle of the front foot when the rear knee is placed on the track. Care must be taken to dig the holes properly. The back walls of both must be straight and firm, so ensuring a proper foundation for a push off. The front of the holes should slant towards the winning post, so as to offer no obstruction to the advance of the foot. To make proper holes a small trowel is necessary, and all sprinters should take care that one is available. TAKING UP THE POSITION. Once the proper position for the holes has been ascertained the athlete can prepare them without a lot of elaborate measurements. Just try them once, and then all is ready for the effort. Place the rear foot in position first, then the front foot and hands, dropping lightly down on the right knee. That is the position, until told to "get set,” when the right knee is raised, says Mr. George. The leg from hip to knee should now point practically straight down to the track, whilst the leg, from knee to ankle should be almost straight from front to rear, in line with the track. . The position of the hands is very important. The three biggest fingers should be on the line, with the thumb and little finger behind them. The fingers arc spread wide apart, with the back of the hand towards the winning post. This position affords the best foundation and support for the weight of the body. The hands should be slightly wider apart than the width of the body, The aim is to secure a firm support, but it should be remembered that if the arms are too widely spread it means lowering the body, which is not desirable. Thus, to keep the arms straight and not bent at the elbow must be strictly the rule. The head and back should present a straight line when “set,” and this is all important. To secure the proper position on the mark, it is well to get an adviser to watch

from the rear, front, and side, pointing out what the athlete himself cannot see. It must be evident that the farther over the line the head can be advanced the better, so long as proper balance is maintained. These are things which experiments will reveal. THE FIRST MOVEMENT. When waiting for the pistol the weight of the body is carried by the arms and front foot. The rear foot is lightly resting against the back of the hole, ready io be advanced for the first stride. At the signal the rear foot comes through for the initial step, whilst the left arm is advanced upwards and forward with a vigorous upper-cut motion. Most athletes swing it across the body and swing the other arm backwards. I consider this wrong, and all my study induces me to recommend that the arms shall always be in front of the body, so that the balance of weight is a help. The movements described so far correspond with running. That is, as r leg comes through for a stride the left arm goes straight forward in tune. The ngnt arm next swings forward as the left reg makes a stride. It is the duty of the front, or left, foot to make a decided push or thrust when starting just as when making any other stride. Certain pointe must be kept in mind. It is no use coming out of the holes quickly if, the style is ragged and the stride uneven, with the feet wide apart. Aim to start smoothly and to run straight. One should look at the track about two yards ahead when "set.” After coming up into the proper position the eyes should be directed to the track about six yards ahead, which will healp to maintain the proper balance. If attention is paid to starting properly and this is acquired, the ability to do so quickly will come later. SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER. Bear in mind the necessity of running straight. Thus it A a good plan to inspect the first few strides and correct any tendency to “sprawl.” Measurements between footprints will be a helpful guide, and attention should be paid to this in training. Don’t be too tense when on the mark. Cultivate a comfortable and easy position, with the weight so adjusted that the rear foot can be brought forward properly and quickly. One of the most vital things in good starting is concentration. Let there be no other thought in the mind to save the getting away with the “gun” when the last command to “set” is given.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB NOTES. There will be a hurdle race as well as the mile and half-mile races next Saturday. Also an event that will prove a great draw will be the race between a cyclist and a runner over a distance of one hundred yards. Perhaps later on at meetings some other novelty races will be introduced, such as an obstacle race over about half-a-mile, or something like that. -Races like these are the ones to amuse the public. The local club is making no bones about getting down to work this season. Already they have decided to hold a run on November 21, and if it is wet-, on the following week. By what I understand the run will be divided up into beginners, medium, and first-class runners, and handicaps will be allotted. At the end of a run there may be a cup of tea or a snap of something, and the return home will just be a ramble. A good move no doubt, and one that will bring members of the club into closer contact with each other. Another move in the right direction is the adoption of a uniform appropriate to the club’s colours of old gold and black. There is nothing better than to see a club in a fixed uniform when any athletic meeting is held. Everyone has seen how spectacular it is to see the High School boys running in their cries-country race in the one colour, white, so why not have an all-black one, with the yellow facings, for the New Plymouth Club, for besides being more orderly, the colours would be easily distinguished from other clubs. Encouraged by the success of the last dance, another is going to be held on November 11, and it will be even better than the last one. Some very meritorious performances were put up at the High School on Saturday, and go to show that there will be some New Zealand champions among them if trained on the right lines. Perhaps the greatest performance was that of Medley’s, in the long jump. His real jump was nearly twenty-two feet, but as he landed on the rough instead of the plough, he fell back, and the mark made by his hands reduced the length to nearly 21 feet. The Australasian record for the long jump is 23 feet 9 inches, and if Medley is coached along the right lines he is a sure record breaker. For a. boy of his age to perform such a long jump must be a record for schools, and it will be a long time before the High School record will be beaten. In Watson there is a most promising sprinter. He possesses a fair style and a good stride, while he is powerfully built, and has a splendid physique. His 10 3-5 sec. for the "hundred” in one of the heats is a very good performance for a schoolboy, syid augurs well for the future, especially if he stops at High School for two or three more years. The milers and half-milers were not very impressive, except Walsham, who looks'to be about the most promising lad at the High School as far as distance events go. His rattling sprints at the finish of his races are good signs of stamina and fitness. Although only a junior, he came second in the cross-country run for the Graham Cup, and then won the junior mile and half-mile in fine style la it Saturday, and now should take it easy till next year. Too much racing at his age is detrimental to his improvement later on, and if for the next two or three years he takes things easy and looks after himself, he should have a chance of breaking the school record for the mile when he becomes a senior. H. Fookes proved himself to be a great man at the high jump, as did Hetherington. The former possesses a very easy style, requiring no run whatever, while the latter also has plenty of power in lifting his legs over. When at Glasgow recently, Tim Banner won the world’s 120 yards professional championship in 11 9-10 sec, he recovered for Australia the sprint title which was lost 12 years ago. Jack Donaldson lost it to W. E. Applegarth (England) in November, 1914, in a race over 109 yards, the winner doing it in 9 9-10 sec.