Girls and Athletics / Giving a brief summary of the activity, rules and method of administration of the following games in girls' schools and colleges, women's clubs, etc.: archery, basket ball, cricket, fencing, field day, field hockey, gymnastics, golf, hand ball, ice hockey, indoor base ball, rowing, soccer, skating, swimming, tennis, track athletics, volley ball, walking, water polo, water basket ball.

by Unknown

Discus Throw.

The discus is thrown in two ways:

1. Free Style.—The discus is held in the palm of the right hand, the edge resting between the first and second joints of the fingers. The flight is guided by means of the index finger. The right hand is swung down and across the body; the right foot is at the rear of circle, the left a little forward; when the right hand has been swung back to the maximum reach of the arm, the thrower should pivot on the left heel, then she should crouch, straighten body and throw the discus, making a spring so that the feet are changed; thus, right foot is back, left forward.

2. Greek Style.—This is generally from a block or pedestal; the competitor, right leg forward, holds the discus in both hands overhead, then the discus is shifted to the right hand, which is brought down and back as far as possible. The knees are bent. Now the knees are straightened, a jump forward is taken and discus is hurled in the air.

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The main difficulty with track athletics is that they are overdone, that is, a girl does not consider her strength. In training a horse, the trainer does not urge it to tear over the course two or three times at full speed. This is just the way some girls think they are improving their running or jumping, getting to the top form sometimes two or three times a day.

It is advisable to practice for form slowly at first, then increase your effort. In this way then your maximum effort can be made when you are perfect in form and condition; not too jaded by overwork to do your best or so used to hurried efforts that your form is neglected.

One of the great troubles with girls in athletics is that they pitch in too strenuously, with too much enthusiasm. This exuberance should be carefully diverted into the proper channels by the coach. Confine yourself to a few events, all of which you can do well. It is a useless waste of energy to spend your strength in events for which you are too tired to perfect your form. Not only do you owe to your coach and your school or college the responsibility for your good health, but to yourself. Therefore never over-exert in track work.

A coach plays a very great part in track athletics and should watch closely over the girls. If any of them seem tired or stale, let them rest for three or four days. Don’t, in your desire and enthusiasm, forget that more harm may be done through overwork and too strict training than in more obvious ways.