Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/84

 48 This performance is employed before the "fighting" stage of jiu-jitsu is reached by the Japanese student. It is extremely useful in the development of the back of the upper leg, but almost equally so in the hardening of the other muscles of the body.

When the coat-sleeves have been brought down to a point just above the elbows throw the left side of the body against the left side of the opponent's body. Press the back of the left leg against the back of the adversary's left leg. The point of contact should be as close to the top of the leg of each man as is possible. The man who is attacking should try to bend his victim gradually backward to the floor. In this work it will be found that every important muscle of the engaged left legs of the opponents undergoes a developing strain. The right leg should be exercised in the same manner. To some extent other portions of the body, and especially the arms, are aided.

At first, it is needful only to follow the foregoing suggestions. Later on, the Japanese student is taught, when on the defensive, to bend