Physical Training.
Only the carefully trained and conditioned man can make victory
possible. For this reason the first and most important concern of a
nation at war is the physical training of its soldiers.
The setting-up exercises are the basis for all other activities and
their disciplinary value is almost as great as their physical value.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.--Each period should include exercises for all parts
of the body. Following the setting-up exercises the following should
be given in the order named: marching, jumping, double timing,
gymnastic contests, and concluding or restorative exercises.
Rifle exercises have for their purpose the development of "handiness"
with the piece. They should be used moderately and with frequent
rests, for they develop big muscles at the expense of agility--a
muscle bound man cannot use his strength.
BAYONET TRAINING in addition to its military value calls into play
every muscle of the body and makes for alertness, agility, quick
perception, decision, aggressiveness and confidence.
Time Schedule.
A.M. (Begins 1/2 hour P.M. (End 1/2 hour
after breakfast): before retreat):
1. Disciplinary exercises, 1. Bayonet training, 30
2 minutes. minutes.
2. Starting positions, 1 2. Games and contests,
minute. 30 minutes.
3. Setting up exercises, Alternating daily with:
20 minutes. 1. Bombing practice, 20
4. Marching and marching minutes.
exercises, 5 to 8 2. Conditioning exercises,
minutes. 15 minutes.
5. Jumping, 5 to 8 minutes. Double timing.
6. Double timing, 5 minutes Vaulting and overcoming
obstacles.
3. Rifle practice, 10 minutes.
Instructions must be:
1. An inspiration to the men.
2. Well prepared themselves.
3. Stripped for action.
4. An example to the men.
5. Must make drill attractive.
6. Never have men overdo. Temper the exercises to the endurance of
the weakest man.
7. Accompany every exercise with the proper breathing.
8. See that the men are clothed according to the season.
9. Have the drills short and snappy.
10. Have frequent rests at the beginning--less frequent as work
progresses.
The platoon is the best unit for physical drills.
FORMATIONS.--When exercising in small squads, the men "fall in" in a
single rank and, after having "counted off" by fours, threes or twos,
as the instructor may direct, distance is taken at the command: Take
distance, March, Squad Halt. At "March" No. 1 moves forward, being
followed by the other numbers at intervals of four paces. Halt is
commanded when all have taken their distances.
At the discretion of the instructor the distance may be any number of
paces, the men being first cautioned to that effect.
When distance is taken from the double rank, No. 1 of the rear rank
follows No. 4 of the front rank, and he is in turn followed by the
other numbers of the rear rank.
If the instructor desires the files to cover, he commands: In file
_Cover_. Nos. 1 stand fast, the others moving to the right with the
side step, until the Nos. 1 are covered.
To return to the original formation, the instructor commands: Assemble
March. No. 1 of the front rank stands fast and the other members move
forward to their original places.
_Second Formation._ To the right and left. Take interval, March.
_Front Rank:_ _Rear Rank:_
No. 1, 6 steps right step. No. 1, 3 steps right step.
No. 2, 3 steps right step. No. 2, Stands fast.
No. 3, Stands fast. No. 3, 3 steps left step.
No. 4, 3 steps left step. No. 4, 6 steps left step.
Commands.
KINDS OF COMMANDS, AND HOW GIVEN.--There are two kinds, _preparatory_
and _executive_.
The _preparatory command_ describes and specifies what is desired and
the _executive command_ calls what has been described into action.
The tone of the command should always be animated, distinct, and of a
loudness proportioned to the number of men for whom it is intended.
Instructors should cultivate a proper command, as its value as a
tributary to the success of any military drill cannot be
overestimated.
After an exercise has been described, its various movements or parts
should be performed at _executive words_, which indicate not only the
movement that is desired but the manner of the execution. Thus: 1.
Trunk forward, 2. Bend, 3. Recover (or Raise), here the word _bend_ is
drawn to indicate moderately slow execution; the recovery being a
little faster, the word _recover_ should be spoken to indicate it.
The word Recover should always be used to bring the men back to the
original position.
If it is desired to continue an exercise, the command Exercise should
be used and the cadence or rhythm should be indicated by words or
numerals. If numerals are used, they should equal the number of
movements composing the exercise. Thus an exercise of two movements
will be repeated at _one, two_; one of four movements will require
four counts, etc.
The numeral or word preceding the command Halt should always be given
with a rising inflection in order to prepare the men for the command
Halt.
Thus: 1. Thrust arms forward, 2. Exercise one, two, one, two, one,
Halt.
If any movement of any exercise is to be performed with more energy
than the others, the word or numeral corresponding to that movement
should be emphasized.
FIRST LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises. 1. Attention; 2. At Ease; 3.
Rest; 4. Facings.
B. Starting Positions. (m.p.t., pp. 25 to 29.)
C. Setting-up Exercises (every exercise has two motions)[P]:
1. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Swing arms downward and forward.
2. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on toes. (33.)
3. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend head backward; same, forward.
(38.)
4. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Turn trunk right; same, left. (40.)
5. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Half bend knees slowly. (35.)
6. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk forward. (36.)
7. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Raise and lower shoulders. (32.)
8. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk sideward, right; same,
left. (37.)
9. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Stretch arms sideward. (43.)
10. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk backward. (34.)
11. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Raise knees forward alternatingly.
(41.)
12. Breathing Exercise: Inhale, raising arms sideward; exhale,
lowering arms.
D. Marching Exercises:
1. Marching in column in quick time and halting.
2. Same, marking time, marching forward and halting.
3. Same, marching on toes.
[Footnote P: Note.--Jumping and double-timing exercises and contests
should not be included in the first week's work.
Bracketed numbers refer to pages in "Manual of Physical Training,"
where similar exercises are illustrated and described.]
SECOND LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises. Same as in first lesson.
B. Starting positions.
C. Setting-up Exercises (every exercise has two motions):
1. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Swing arms sideward.
2. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on toes. (33.)
3. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Turn head right; same, left. (41.)
4. Hands on shoulders, 2. Place. Turn trunk sideward, right;
same, left. (40.)
5. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Full bend knees, slowly. (39.)
6. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk forward. (36.)
7. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Move shoulders forward and
backward. (35.)
8. Arms sideward, 2. Raise. Bend trunk sideward, right; same,
left. (31.)
9. From Attention. Stretch arms forward and sideward.
10. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk backward. (34.)
11. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Extend right and left leg forward.
(44.)
12. Breathing Exercise: Inhale, raising arms sideward and upward;
exhale, lowering arms sideward.
D. Marching Exercises:
1. Marching in column in quick time, mark time, marching in
quick time and halting. (88.)
2. Marching on toes. (89.)
3. Marching on toes and rocking.
E. Jumping Exercises:
1. Rise on toes and arms forward, 2 Raise. Swing arms downward
and bend knees; swing arms forward and extend knees, and
recover Attention.
2. Jumping in place. (193.)
F. Double Timing:
1. Double timing, change to quick time and halting. (92.)
G. Concluding Exercises:
1. Breathing exercise, raising and lowering arms sideward.
THIRD LESSON.--A disciplinary Exercises, as in first lesson.
B. Starting Positions.
C. Setting-up Exercises:
1. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Swing arms downward and sideward. (4
motions.)
2. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on right and left toes,
alternatingly. (4 motions.) (46.)
3. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend head forward and backward. (4
motions.) (38.)
4. Arms sideward, 2. Raise. Turn trunk right and left. (4
motions.) (53.)
5. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on toes and full bend knees
slowly. (4 motions.) (39.)
6. Fingers in rear of head, 2. Place. Bend trunk forward. (2
motions.) (42.)
7. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Move shoulders forward, upward,
backward, and recover. (4 motions.)
8. Hands on shoulders, 2. Place. Bend trunk sideward, right, and
left. (4 motions.) (37.)
9. From Attention. Stretch arms sideward, upward, sideward, and
recover. (4 motions.)
10. Hands on shoulders, 2. Place. Bend trunk backward. (2
motions.) (34.)
11. Hands on hips, 2 Place. Extend right and left leg backward.
(2 motions.)
12. Breathing Exercise: Inhale, raising arms forward, upward; and
exhale, lowering arms sideward, down.
D. Marching Exercises:
1. Marching in quick time, raising knees. (89.)
2. Thrusting arms sideward.
E. Jumping Exercises:
1. Standing broad jump.
2. Three successive broad jumps.
F. Double Timing:
1. Double timing. (92.)
2. Double timing, marking time in the double and forward.
3. Double timing and halting from the double.
G. Gymnastic Contests. Two of these games should be included in
each lesson. See pp. 39-40.
H. Concluding Exercises:
1. Breathing exercise, as in 12.
FOURTH LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises, as in first lesson.
B. Starting Positions.
C. Setting-up Exercises:
1. Hands on shoulders, 2. Place. Extend arms forward; swing
sideward, forward, and recover. (4 motions.)
2. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on toes quickly. (2 motions.)
(33.)
3. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Turn head right and left. (4
motions.) (41.)
4. Arms upward, 2. Raise. Turn trunk right and left. (4
motions.)
5. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Half bend knees, quickly. (2
motions.) (35.)
6. Arms sideward, 2. Raise. Bend trunk forward. (2 motions.)
7. Hands on shoulders, 2. Place. Move elbows forward, and
stretch backward. (2 motions.) (45.)
8. Arms upward, 2. Raise. Bend trunk sideward, right and left.
(4 motions.)
9. From Attention. Stretch, arms forward, sideward, upward,
sideward, forward, and recover. (6 motions.)
10. Arms sideward, 2. Raise. Bend trunk backward. (2 motions.)
11. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Extend legs sideward. (2 motions.)
12. Breathing Exercise: 1. Inhale, raising arms forward, upward;
exhale, lowering arms sideward.
D. Marching Exercises:
1. Marching in quick time, raising knees, and rising on toes of
other foot.
2. Raising heels.
3. Thrusting arms sideward.
E. Jumping Exercises:
1. Three successive standing broad jumps.
2. Jumping in place, raising knees.
F. Double Timing:
1. Double timing.
2. Raising heels.
3. Double timing, sideward, crossing legs.
G. Gymnastic Contests.
H. Concluding Exercises:
1. Swing arms forward, upward, relaxed.
2. Breathing exercise, as in 12.
FIFTH LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises.
B. Starting Positions.
C. Setting-up Exercises:
1. Arms to thrust. Thrust arms upward; swing downward; forward;
upward, and recover. (4 motions.) (55.)
2. Hands in rear of head. Rise on toes and rock. (2 motions.)
(39.)
3. Hands on hips. Bend head forward and backward. (4 motions.)
4. Hands on shoulders. Turn trunk right and left, stretching
arms sideward. (4 motions.) (52.)
5. Full bend knees. Hands on ground between knees, squatting
position, extend right and left leg backward, alternatingly.
(4 motions.) (65.)
6. Hands on shoulders. Bend trunk forward and stretch arms
sideward. (2 motions.) (51.)
7. From Attention. Curl shoulders forward and stretch backward.
(2 motions.) (38.)
8. Hands on shoulders. Bend trunk sideward, right and left,
extending arms sideward. (4 motions.) (65.)
9. From Attention. Flex forearms vertically; extend upward; flex
and recover. (4 motions.) (54.)
10. Hands on shoulders. Bend trunk backward, stretching arms
sideward. (2 motions.) (56.)
11. From Attention. Raise arms forward and extend leg forward;
stretch arms sideward, extending leg backward; move arms and
leg to first position and recover Attention. (4 motions.)
(53.)
12. Breathing Exercise: Raise arms sideward; upward; and lower
laterally quickly. (4 motions.)
D. Marching Exercises:
1. March in quick time and swing extended leg forward, ankle
high.
2. Raising knee and hopping on other foot.
3. From arms forward. Swing arms upward.
E. Jumping Exercises:
1. Standing hop, step and jump.
2. Preliminary running broad jumps.
3. Broad jump from a walking start of four paces. (197.)
F. Double timing.
1. Double timing.
2. Double timing sideward, crossing leg in front.
3. Double timing, raising knees.
G. Gymnastic Contests.
H. Concluding Exercises:
1. Bend trunk forward and backward, relaxed.
2. Breathing exercise, as in 12.
For further work for recruits and work to be given trained soldiers,
see Special Regulation No. 23, "Field Physical Training of the
Soldier."
To prevent grumbling, keep men at work. Idle men are the ones who
growl. The French consider periods spent in the trenches as periods of
rest; instead of letting the men go on pass when relieved, they
restore discipline by close order drill.
The physical benefit is less than half of physical exercises. There
should be mental exertion in every exercise. But the most important
part is the disciplinary benefit. The exercises must teach men to jump
at commands, and by this means must make the organization a
homogeneous mass.
The principal thing in the position of attention is "chest lifted; and
arched." There should be a stretch upward at the waist. The position
should give the impression of a man as proud of himself as he can be.
This is a bluff which works, not only by making a good first
impression on others, but by causing the man himself to live up to it.
Insist on precision. Especially when men are losing interest, don't
let the work sag, but make it interesting by requiring concentration.
At the beginning of each exercise, wake the men up by calling them to
attention until they do it well, giving the facings, etc.
COMMANDS.--There is a tone at which each voice carries best. Each man
must find it for himself. To make commands understood, enunciate
carefully with lips and teeth. Sound especially first and last letters
of words. Officer's posture adds to effect of command. His personality
is impressed on his men largely by his voice. Preparatory command
should be vibrant and cheerful--not a harsh tone that grates on the
men and antagonizes them. The command of execution must be short and
sharp; drill can be made or marred by it.
MARCHING.--A cadence faster than 120 a minute adds snap to marching,
but snap can not be gained in proportion as the cadence is run up.
Snap is attained chiefly by the proper gait. Soldiers should march,
not with knees always slightly bent, but should straighten them
smartly at the end of each step. This adds drive to the step, and
gives the men confidence and a mob spirit of courage. After long drill
at attention, this spirit can be carried into extended order work.
Marching exercises are useful and can be greatly varied. The command
"Exercise" should always be given as the left foot strikes the ground.
"Exercise" is a command of execution, and the first movement should be
executed at once when it is given. The count "One" is given when this
first position is reached. The command to stop all marching exercises
is "Quick time--March."
In all exercises the instructor should cultivate the ability to pick
mistakes. He can develop this until he can watch much larger groups
than at first.
Voice Culture.
Mastery of the voice is a necessity for every officer; for without it
the giving of commands will soon make his throat look and feel like a
piece of raw Hamburg steak. Quality of voice is more effective than
quantity. Brute force may produce a roar that has tremendous volume at
a short distance; but the sound will not carry unless it is so placed
that it gets the benefit of the resonance spaces in the head. If the
tone is produced properly, so that it has the singing quality
necessary in all right commands, quantity of tone will come of itself.
This singing quality has nothing to do with music; it may be attained
by a man who can hardly distinguish a bar of music from a bar of soap.
It depends upon three principles, which are very simple in themselves
but can not be applied without careful practise. The first covers
proper use of the breath. Air must be drawn into the lungs by
expanding the diaphragm and abdomen, a process best seen in the
natural breathing of a man who is lying on his back with all muscles
relaxed. Filling the upper part of the lungs by raising the chest puts
the work on the comparatively small muscles between the ribs; but
filling the base of the lungs by pulling downward brings into play the
diaphragm, the largest muscle in the body. The sensation which
accompanies proper deep control of the breath is as if the tone were
not pushed out of the mouth, but drawn in and upwards. It is partly
described by the phrases of singing teachers, "drawn tone" and
"singing on the breath."
The diaphragm must not only relieve the muscles between the ribs, but,
still more important, the small muscles of the throat. The second
great principle of voice production is that the throat must be
perfectly relaxed. Any tension there interferes with the free
vibration which is essential for strong and resonant tone. This
relaxation is most easily gained by drawing the chin in slightly,
loosening the muscles under it. The base of the tongue can be relaxed
by rolling the letter "R," even to the extent of making two syllables
of such words as "gr-rand." Talking with the teeth closed loosely will
also help to ease incorrect, tension about the throat. If the throat
is properly relaxed, there will be no sensation in it during the
production of the voice. Any sensation between the diaphragm and the
resonance chambers of the head is a sign of wrong and harmful tension.
The use of these resonance chambers is required by the third
principle--that the tone must be reinforced by resonance in all the
hollow spaces of the head. These are found in the nose, above the
palate and even above the eyes. They have the same effect as the
sounding board of a musical instrument, in giving quality to the tone.
The best way to put this principle into practice is to learn the
sensation of the clear and ringing tone which is produced by proper
placing of the voice. Exercises containing the letters "M" and "N"
will give this effect. This does not mean that the sound should be
nasal; it should be made in the nose, but not through it. Another way
to increase resonance is to think of crying the words rather than
talking them. A slightly whining intonation or a sound like that of a
laugh has more ring to it than an ordinary flat talking tone.
These principles should not be neglected because they are simple. They
can not be mastered without work, and unless they are mastered the
voice will not be heard at a distance and will not last under the work
of giving commands. Further suggestions on the manner of giving
commands will be found under Physical Training.