The management of athletics in public schools : a paper read before the Association on January 12th, 1886 / by George Fletcher.

  • Fletcher, George, Ed.D.
Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The management of athletics in public schools : a paper read before the Association on January 12th, 1886 / by George Fletcher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ally in correcting the tendency to round shoulders, stooping habits, slouching gait, and increasing the chest girth, but do not let us substitute either gymnastics or drilling for play and recreation, and athletics in that sense of the word. Kemember, we are not imposing tasks upon the boy. The muscular formal movements, the machine-like work of drill, excellent in their way, lack the variety and interest found in our games, they sooner induce fatigue, as there is the lack of competition and excitement that we find in cricket, fives and other games. But there is no doubt that by a well-devised system of gymnastics the most thorough exer¬ cise of every set of muscles in the body may be secured, and such education of the muscles will imply not only increase of actual strength but greater rapidity and versatility of action, more adroitness and precision of movement, more skill in the combination of forces; and the right use of that skill will make all the difference to a boy’s success in games whatever branch of athletics he may take up. So where a gymnasium is found in our Schools, let us en¬ courage gymnastics, and let them be systematically under¬ taken under a paid competent instructor. If boys are turned loose into a gymnasium, they will probably do themselves more harm than good. The exercises should be designed for the requirements of each, and should be steadily increased, and a record might be kept of its effect on their physique. But do not let all this tale the place of other branches of athletics, more especially as it has rather a tendency to deve¬ lop the upper limbs chiefly. Let us encourage it (and drilling) as a necessary fart of the education. 60 per cent. I find have a gymnasium; only 45 per cent* a paid teacher, and only 10 per cent, a record kept. In leaving these three branches, drilling, swimming, gym¬ nastics, I pass to what I might call a separate group, inas¬ much as these three require an instructor, I might say a paid competent instructor, without whom boys cannot learn the simple rudiments, still less hope to make any progress. Of our next group, I am inclined to place first for our notico ATHLETIC SPOBTS, running, jumping, weight-putting,
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