ATHLETICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17885, 4 December 1929, Page 11

ATHLETICS.

HINTS ON TRAINING. \ POINTS FOR THE SPRINTER. VIEWS OF AN EXPERT. This week’s article by Mr C. 11. Taylor, june., on "Training for Athletics,” is entitled "For the Sprinters." Having got the running muscles of the calves and thighs in good condition, the sprinter should start to develop speed, first over short distances, which will he Increased gradually as the speed improves. At first, distances of 30yds, 50yds, and 75yds, only should be run, increeslng to 100 yards and 120 yards. The runner who 'intends to specialise In the 100 yards will find that about 150 yards will be the fullest distance he will he required to run; but the man who intends to couple the 100 yards with the furlong must run 250 yards, and even 300 yards. I contend a greater distance must be covered in training than the distance that is being trained for, otherwise the runner will lack the enduprance that enables speed to be maintained right through the race. For sprinters who are fit, starting practice should be practically daily practice, and finishing should be practised regularly. Often a man flinches at the tape, as If he Is racing for an Iron bar Instead of a piece of worsted. A man should run right through the tape as though the finish Is five yards beyond it. Another Bad Fault. Another bad fault is that of throwing up the hands when striking the tape. This particularly bad fault is very common—for that reason the sprinter should -stretch a piece of worsted between two sticks, and practise running through it, hand 3 down, head on a level, and not thrown back —lt must be remembed that the race is won at the tape; therefore finishing practice is even more important that starting practice. The Art of Starting,, The crouch start is now universally used In sprinting and middle distance running, and the correct method of starting, as exemplified by the American, Jackson V. Scholz, is with the forward foot approximately' five inches behind the starting line—the rear foot back far enough for the knee to be w line with the middle of the front foot. The position of the hands is such that the thumbs are pointing towards the body, and the index fingers outwards from the body and along the starting line. The arms should he straight. On the word “set" the rear knee Is raised, and In this position the back should be straight. The distance the near knee should be raised is about six inches from the tracks, but is determined by the length of the arm, and the runner will soon find the -correct position, because, In it, he will balance easily. Assuming the runner stands with the left foot forward when the gun Is fired, the body will swing forward with the uplifted rear knee, assisted by the left hand and arm, which is flung forward as an uppercut in boxing. The movement is also accompanied by a vigorous push off of the left sustained leg. The right knee is brought up to a sufficient height to allow of a strong ' downward drive with the body well ahead of the foot. The left leg action follows that of the right leg, being aided by the right arm. The angle is decreased rather with the following right leg studs, and the runner should obtain the normal running position after travelling 15 y r ards. He should run out of the holes—not jump out—and should take care not to reach an upright position too quickly.