Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/91

Rh always well for the opponents to arrange in advance who is to secure the victory. Then the one who is on the defensive employs only sufficient strength to prevent too easy a conquest. In this way the resistant principle of training the muscles is carried out to the best advantage. Of course it is well for the two contestants to be of as nearly the same height and weight as possible, but when the resistant theory is thoroughly employed the consideration of size is not of absolute importance.

Once in a while the Japanese beginners are told to pass from purely resistant work to actual tests of strength. This brings pleasant relief from monotony, and enables the opponents to determine who is really the stronger. It does more, for it shows each man his weak points. While the instructor may help much in the remedying of these weak points, still more depends upon the student himself. If his arm is weakest at the wrist he must increase the amount of exercise given to that part. If the upper arm proves the most defective portion the exercises already described will have to be used with greater frequency than before.