Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/200

 140 the signal is given, and the opponents take a moment's rest before attempting the next feat. The blows with the pole are attempted in various forms of attack, and the more ways that are devised of attacking and countering, the better it is for the student when he engages in actual combat.

While this work is being undertaken the student is ordered to learn how to fall. With his arms outstretched horizontally he falls forward flat upon the floor. The floor of the school is padded thickly and softly, so that the young man cannot injure himself. The instructor can do little when this exercise is being followed. The young man must learn the art of falling safely through his own practice and observation. He must learn what muscles are wrenched when he falls, and must study out for himself how to avoid the wrench. When one practising jiu-jitsu is thrown he must know how to aid in the throw himself in such a manner that he will not be weakened — and this knowledge can be gained by any one who practises assiduously. The Japanese student who finds himself going down under the