ATHLETES’ ODD TRICKS TO WIN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 2 June 1910, Page 11

ATHLETES’ ODD TRI C KS TO WIN.

Athletes always develop a lot of theories about little tricks that may help them to win, says an American writer. About as odd a system as any was that of a college broad jumper whose name is on the list of inter-colle-giate champions. This man was not a smoker, or that an occasional puff of a cigarette made him nervous. In order to induce this feeling of agitation he was accustomed to light a cigarette a moment or so before he went on the field for his jumping. He contended that a man had to be on edge to be either a good sprinter or a good jumper, and that even if his feeling of slight agitation were induced by smoking it was, notwithstanding, a good thing. Another man, who was a more or less successful quarter-miler, both as collegian and club athlete, nerved himself up for the, start of his races by swearing profusely at himself. He had the idea that if he got thoroughly angry at himself and swore a lot it would take his mind off the race that was about to start.

One great high jumper used deliberately to practise before the competition actually began by knocking the bar off at all sorts of minor heightsHe had an idea that by doing this beforehand he got it all out of his system, and entered his competition with the assured feeling that he wasn’t going to slip up on any poor performances.