Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/197

 Rh backward and as high as possible, with a movement suggestive of the kick delivered by a mule's hind leg. The legs are alternately employed in this backward kick, and by degrees the utmost speed possible is acquired. Then, in somewhat similar fashion, the young man kicks forward. After this come the hops. Hopping on one foot as long as he can do it and maintain his equilibrium, the student is made to hold the other leg as far back as he is able. The next style of hop is with one leg as far upward at the side as may be, and then with the leg forward. In each case the student must continue to hop until he feels that he is about to lose his balance. All of this leg work is intended to give the jiu-jitsu pupil the maximum of balance when he finds himself with one leg only on the ground and when the various trips are employed.

For quickness in making the springs necessary in attack there are a set of exercises in which a bamboo pole is employed. American students will find any other kind of pole equally useful. One student stands with a pole held in both hands directly over his head. Four or