Junior Olympics

Frank Wykoff is featured in photographs demonstrating his famous sprinting positions in the article below entitled-- "Junior Olympic Games" -- Boyd Comstock is commentator.

JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES, 1929

Note - the following is a reprint of the above Los Angeles Sunday Times, dated March 31, 1929. Photographs are by - Pacific & Atlantic photos

Click to enlarge the above article

JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES

Los Angeles - Atlantic City - Hawaii

The 75-Yard Dash

Instruction by means of photographs for entrants in the 1929 Junior Olympic Games, featuring Frank Wykoff of the Glendale Junior College, national 100-meter champion and third-place winner the the last (Junior) Olympic Games, who has just returned to active competition after a dangerous illness. The words of instruction accompanying the photographs are by Boyd Comstock, director, Junior Olympic Games, 1929, who in discussing the games said:

"I have liked to point out that in the Junior Olympic Games program, every boy wins even though he loses. By that I mean that an initial interest in his own physical improvement cannot fail to produce a very definite amount of good. It means that the actual winning of a medal is a secondary consideration, for, after all, the winners constitute a most limited group. The most pleasing feature of this year's program has been the tendency toward a 100 per cent enrollment rather than the selection of boys who already have lifted themselves into local prominence by reason of their athletic ability. These, I believe, take precedence over the well-known and admitted civic advantages that come through any well coordinated juvenile movement."

(Mr. Comstock, while he has never made coaching and athletics a profession, nevertheless has established a stellar record as a track-and-field mentor, including the winning by the Citrus Union High School team, when coached by him, of the Southern California, State and United States championships; the capture of the Penn Relay championship by a University of Southern California team under his tutelage, and the building up of the Los Angeles Athletic Club team into a national title holder. He also has found time to coach at Yale, edit a series of internationally known text-books on track and field athletics, and at the same time make a living in a field that is in nowise associated with athletics. -- Ed.)

On-your marks position. (Side view.) Note the proper, easy relaxed position which is essential to the correct getaway. A cramped position at this stage of the start will be accentuated when the printer gets set and will defeat the purpose of the crouch start. Observe that the forward knee is approximately on a line with the forward foot; it may be a trifle ahead, behind, or even with it, according to the build of the athlete. Relaxation of mind and body always is a requirement when a sudden effort is desired and every beginner should strive to develop this phase of the form.

On-your-marks position. (Front view.) Frank Wykoff's success has been due in no small part to his ability to combine this tranquility of spirit -- so evident in this photograph -- with the furious drive-away that accompanies the gun report. This pint is again stressed because so many athletes waste their surplus by badly-timed tension. It will be seen that the starter's arms are spread sufficiently to allow freedom and straight action when they get going. The tripod finer-and-had position also is approximately correct. Most champions use this position. It may be varied to advantage dropping the thumbs back slightly for greater stability and to lessen the strain on the inner arm muscles. Note the straight ahead foot-and-knee position and the slight but sufficient distance that separates the knee and foot.

Get-set position. (Side view.) In this pose, Wykoff is obviously "set." In other words, he has taken a position that gives you the impression of poise and balance. A lack of this natural ease is generally apparent when the athlete attempts to hold too strictly to a standard position that does not suit his physical requirements. As has been pointed out, any variation of the suggested form may be proper if it permits the athlete to carry out the fundaments of the form. These, mentioned briefly, require that the get-set position shall find the body supported by the arms and the forward leg, and that the rear foot should be adjusted in such a manner that a quick driving step may be taken by the rear leg. Actually, it is all a matter of common sense. If the sprinter leans over too far the weight is thrown on the arms and the leg action is handicapped. He will also have too great a tendency to fall forward. If he does not allow the arms a share in the weight the tendency is to bolt upward, and this also makes impossible the forward lean angle. The rear knee of the sprinter should be lifted a trifle -- it is now practically parallel with the track. Most sprinters use this position -- as shown -- and the only reason for the recommendation is because it makes for an easier step position and naturally saves a fraction. Observe that the arms are sustaining their share of the body weight. The extent of the forward lean varies with the build of the athlete and his exact style. That is to say, every athlete, having a natural aptitude, will work out a form which will give that ability a chance.

Get-set position. (Front view.) The rear knee position in this photograph brings out the suggestion made in the preceding caption. Obviously there is a slight downward angle to the shin from the knee to the ankle. The relaxation that was in order in the first position is now succeeded by a tensed alertness so that the forward drive will be instantaneous with the gun report. Most champions overlook the purpose of the arm swing because of their natural leg strength, and merely carry the arms as balancers. This fault should be remedied, as the crouch start is never perfect when the arm action is not stressed.

The getaway. The importance of the preliminary weight distribution becomes evident when photographs are taken at this stage of the start. Note that Wykoff is driving out in the correct style. The forward angle lean is very much in evidence. He has got the value of the rear lifting drive and he now is getting the full value of the forward leg drive. His forward knee is lifted correctly and his arms are cooperating to fair advantage. A few champions have been able to get this angle without resorting to an exaggerated arm swing, but most sprinters fail by its lack as photographs of their getaway will show. To get back again to common sense principles it is to be seen plainly that Wykoff is driving ahead and that this angle will be gradually lessened with succeeding steps. If the lean was more evident it would not give the results, for it would create a tendency to stumble. If it was more upright, much of the force would be spent in gaining an erect position and that is not the thing to be desired. Remember that the first step should be a hop, rather than a stride.

Driving out of the marks. The forward lean is being lessened and the arm action is very much in evidence. This assistance from the upper portion of the body is most important because it creates a tendency to lean forward and naturally keeps the upper body ahead of the rear driving leg. The sharply uplifted knee keeps the athlete from over striding and adds force to the downward drive, which is most important at this stage of the game. Even the striding type of sprinter must cultivate the drive action for the start if he is to develop any degree of speed. The relaxed position of the upper body proves that the champion is following the rule of only permitting the arms and legs to participate in the action. By so doing he gets a maximum amount of speed out of his assertions and holds to his form.

The finish. Wykoff is using the orthodox style of finish which calls for a forward upper lean and a driving-on-the-ground effort. The latter is recommended. The upward arm thrust generally tends to draw the chest away from the tape, but the outward and upward action, as illustrated, will give good results. Better still, the athlete can vary this procedure by twisting the upper body slightly just as he takes the tape and accentuate the forward lean by allowing one arm to hook out in the reaching position. If this is developed it will not throw the runner off balance, and it will save a few inches at a time when this space may mean a win. Naturally this arm action allows the sprinter to continue on with his race to a point five yards or so beyond the finish line, which is always recommended. Many a championship has been lost because the athlete has eased up as the tape has been hit and has been passed by a man that has been taught to run out the race beyond the finish line. The student of sprinting should pay particular attention to Wykoff's perfect driving position -- as shown here -- and maintenance of his all-round form. A study of finish pictures will prove the most sprinters show a minimum amount of style during the concluding yards of the sprint.

1929 JUNIOR OLYMPICS - PARADE OF CELEBRITIES

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