between his own legs; his wrists are grasped by No. 1, who lifts (as No.
2 jumps) and throws him over to his feet. Figs. 28, 29.
BACK TO BACK AND OVER.
7. Stand back to back, arms extended vertically, grasp each other’s
hands, heads turned to opposite sides; No. 2 springs and No. 1 pulls No.
2 over shoulders to feet. No. 2 must never relax muscles on this
exercise. Figs. 30, 31.
[Illustration]
BALANCE ON HEAD AND THROW OVER.
8. Facing in same direction, No. 1 grasps No. 2 on either side of belt,
and No. 2 grasps No. 1’s wrists and springs up, assisted by No. 1
lifting, and comes to balance position on No. 1’s head; No. 2 then
throws his head back, pulls legs up and snaps over to feet, assisted by
a slight push from No. 1. Figs. 32, 33.
THROW OVER HEAD.
9. Same as No. 8, only in quicker time. No. 2 does not touch head of No.
1, who holds his arms perfectly stiff, and throws No. 2 over his head in
one movement. Fig. 34.
10. Leap-frog, roll over, and continue.
STRADDLE VAULT OVER.
11. No. 1 places one hand under No. 2’s crotch; No. 2 places both hands
on No. 1’s head and vaults over. Figs. 35, 36.
STRADDLE OVER FROM FLOOR.
12a. No. 2 lies down and No. 1 places foot close up and between No. 2’s
legs and grasps both hands of No. 2, who springs up and straddle vaults
over, while No. 1 pulls, then pushes his hands to horizontal with
quarter turn of body.
STRADDLE OVER AND HAND SPRING.
12b. Position and first part of movement same as No. 12a, only No. 1
grasps No. 2’s wrists; as No. 2 passes over No. 1’s head, he doubles up
close and does a hand spring from No. 1’s hands.
LOW ARM HAND STAND.
13. No. 1 lies on back, feet apart; No. 2 steps in and, bending forward,
they place hands on each other’s shoulders; No. 2 does hand stand, No. 1
holding him in position. Fig. 37.
[Illustration]
HIGH ARM HAND STAND.
14. Facing each other, hands on shoulders, No. 2 jumps up, crossing feet
behind back of No. 1, who leans over and immediately comes to erect
position; No. 2 pushing up into high arm stand. Figs. 38, 39, 40.
HIGH ARM HAND STAND.
15. Repeat No. 13. No. 2 is let down easily by No. 1, and rolls over,
retaining hold on each other’s shoulders, to lying down position on
backs; No. 1 does a quick back roll, and lands on feet between No. 2’s
spread legs, and immediately pulls No. 2 (who assists by jumping) to
high hand to shoulder stand in air. Fig. 40.
16. From position of Fig. 39, No. 1 throws No. 2 hand spring over head.
PULL UP FROM FLOOR.
17. Facing each other, and six feet apart, No. 2 dives halfway over,
keeping palms of hands on mat by side of head, legs vertical; No. 1
grasps ankles and gives him a quick pull up and throw away; No. 2
assisting by pushing with his hands and head, and coming to standing
position facing No. 1. Figs. 41, 42.
18. Same as No. 17, only both face same direction; No. 2 does forward
roll; No. 1 pulls No. 2 to feet.
BACK FROM FOREARMS.
19. No. 1 stands body straight, feet spread, knees bent, and,
interlacing fingers, holds forearms horizontal; No. 2 places hands on
No. 1’s shoulders, jumps to forearms, and back somersaults off. Figs.
43, 44.
[Illustration]
ONE LEG FORWARD.
20. Facing same direction, one foot apart, No. 2 bends knee and places
right or left ankle in No. 1’s hands; No. 2 jumps directly up (assisted
by No. 1), cuts close, and does a high forward somersault, coming down
straight. Figs. 45, 46.
MOUNT TO SHOULDERS.
21. No. 1 facing front, No. 2 to left of No. 1 and right face; No. 1
bends knees slightly, feet well apart, holds right hand over head, palm
up, and grasps No. 2’s right hand, also No. 2’s left with his left hand;
No. 2 places left foot on No. 1’s left thigh; as each pulls hard with
right hand, No. 2 jumps and places his right foot on No. 1’s right
shoulder and left on left shoulder, lets go of No. 1’s hands and stands
erect, heels together on balls of feet, knees straight, and legs
pressing hard on No. 1’s head. Figs. 47, 48.
MOUNT TO SHOULDER WITHOUT HANDS.
22. Position same as in No. 21, only No. 1 folds arms; and No. 2, taking
a short run, mounts to shoulders without using hands.
LIFT TO SHOULDER.
23. Facing in same direction, No. 1 grasps No. 2’s hands and lifts to
shoulders, No. 2 doubling up close in order to bring his feet to No. 1’s
shoulders. For first part of movement see Fig. 57.
TO DISMOUNT.
24. No. 1 reaches up and grasps hands of No. 2, who jumps down between.
25. Both lean forward as far as possible; No. 2 jumps to feet, and both
do a forward roll over.
[Illustration]
BACK FROM SHOULDERS.
26. Mount as in No. 23; as No. 2 jumps, No. 1 assists by lifting hard.
Fig. 49.
FRONT FROM SHOULDERS.
27. Mount as in No. 23; as No. 2 jumps, No. 1 assists by lifting hard.
Fig. 50.
CROTCH BACK.
28. Facing each other, No. 1 places hands under No. 2’s crotch, and
lifts hard; No. 2 doing a regular back somersault. Figs. 51, 52.
CROTCH FRONT.
29. Facing in same direction. No. 1 grasps No. 2 by seat and lifts hard;
No. 2 doing a regular front somersault. Fig. 53.
PULL TO SHOULDERS.
30. Facing each other, No. 2 leans forward, putting his hands between
his own spread legs; No. 1 leans over and grasps No. 2’s wrists; a quick
pull lands No. 2 on his shoulders straddle seat. He then places his
hands under thighs of No. 2, who, in turn, does a back somersault off,
assisted by a slight shove from No. 1. Fig. 54.
31. Same as No. 30, only No. 2 puts his feet on No. 1’s shoulders. Back
or forward somersault off.
PULL TO SHOULDERS AND HAND SPRING OVER.
32. Position same as in Fig. 54. No. 1 grasps No. 2’s wrists, pulls him
up, and places his hands on his shoulders; No. 2 continues movement by
hand spring over.
[Illustration]
NECK LIFT.
33. Facing same way, No. 1 puts head between legs of No. 2, who leans
back quickly, and No. 1 straightens up and tosses him over his head; No.
2 doing back somersault movement. Figs. 55, 56.
TWISTING BACK OVER HEAD.
34. Same as 33, only No. 2 throws head quickly to right or left, and
alights with back to No. 1.
DOUBLE DIVE.
35. Facing, and 6 feet apart, No. 1 dives forward, and as his head rests
on mat—that is, half way over—with feet well apart, No. 2 dives over,
comes to feet quickly; each turns, and repeat movement.
TRIPLE DIVE.
36. No. 1 in middle and facing No. 2, No. 3 back of No. 1 and facing in
same direction; No. 1 dives forward and No. 2 dives over No. 1 (as in
No. 35); No. 3 immediately dives over No. 2, and No. 1 has turned and
now dives over No. 3; No. 2 again dives over No. 1, and repeat as
before.
LIFT AWAY HAND SPRING.
37. Facing in same direction, No. 1 grasps No. 2’s hands and lifts him
to standing position on shoulders; No. 2 jumps to mat between hands,
and, without letting go, immediately jumps straight up, doubling up as
he goes, stiffening arms and pressing hard against hands of No. 1, who
pushes up, straightening arms; No. 2 continues on through, and does a
hand spring from No. 1’s hands. Figs. 57, 58.
[Illustration]
THREE JUMPS AND LIFT AWAY HAND SPRING.
38. Position same as Fig. 57, only No. 1 rests right knee on mat; No. 2
jumps over No. 1’s right arm, and immediately back to first position, in
same manner over left arm, then over head and back again; No. 1 now
rises to feet immediately, No. 2 doing lift away hand spring as in No.
37.
39. Same as No. 37, only go straight from mat to hand spring without
going to shoulders.
ONE LEG BACK.
40. No. 2 places right leg in No. 1’s hands, leg horizontal, knee stiff;
as No. 2 jumps and presses down with right leg No. 1 lifts hard,
throwing him a back somersault. Figs. 59, 60.
LAY OUT BACK.
41. No. 1 interlaces fingers, palms up, and stoops well down, feet
spread; No. 2 places hands on shoulders (also without placing hands on
shoulders) and right foot in his hands, jumps, straightening right leg,
and does a hollow back somersault, No. 1 lifting up hard. Figs. 61, 62.
LAY OUT BACK.
42. Same as No. 41, only No. 1 places hands behind back instead of in
front.
GAINER LAY OUT BACK.
43. Same as No. 41, only No. 2 turns over No. 1’s head, alighting on
opposite side from which he started.
RUNNING FORWARD OVERHEAD.
44. Position of No. 1 same as in No. 41; No. 2 runs, placing hands on
No. 1’s shoulders, and right foot in hands, jumps, straightening right
leg, and goes for regular front somersault, alighting with back to No.
1.
[Illustration]
HAND SPRING TO SHOULDERS.
45. Facing each other, No. 1 bends knees slightly; No. 2 takes a run and
places hands on No. 1’s knees and does a hand spring up, assisted by No.
1 grasping him by hips. Now quick roll back from shoulders. Fig. 63.
HIGH ARM HAND SPRING.
46. No. 1 spreads feet and braces himself, bending knees and getting
low; No. 2 takes a good run, places hands on shoulders of No. 1, who
grasps his thighs and pushes him over for a hand spring. Fig. 64.
PULL UP AND BACK FROM HANDS.
47. Facing each other, and 6 feet apart, No. 2 rolls over and pushes his
feet well up under him; No. 1 steps in, grasping No. 2’s hands, pulls
him up, and then pushes him up and away; No. 2, doubling up close,
pushing hard with hands, throws head back and goes for back somersault.
Figs. 65, 66.
BACK FROM BACK.
48. Facing in same direction, No. 1 bends over, placing hands on knees;
No. 2 jumps to back, between shoulders, and does a back off, No. 1
lifting up hard. Figs. 67, 68.
FORWARD FROM BACK.
49. Facing each other, and about 20 feet apart, No. 1 stoops over,
placing hands on knees; No. 2 runs and jumps on No. 1’s back, between
shoulders, and immediately goes for front somersault, as from
spring-board, No. 1 throwing hard. Fig. 69.
[Illustration]
HIGH HAND-TO-HAND HAND STAND.
50. Lift to shoulders, as in No. 23. From position of Fig. 91, No. 2
throws into hand stand.
MOVEMENTS FROM POSITION OF FLOOR
BACK FROM HANDS.
51a. No. 1 lying on back, hands close to head; No. 2 steps in No. 1’s
hands and does a back somersault, assisted by No. 1. Figs. 70, 71.
51b. Same as No. 51, only No. 2 takes a few steps and jumps in No. 1’s
hands, going for back immediately.
BACK FROM HANDS.
52. No. 1 sits on floor, feet spread, and places hands in front, palms
up; No. 2 steps in hands as before, and back out.
FRONT FROM HANDS.
53. No. 2 places toes in No. 1’s hands, and does a regular front,
assisted by No. 1. Fig. 72.
TWISTING BACK FROM HANDS.
54. Same as No. 51, only No. 2 twists completely around by turning head
to right or left as he goes over, and alights facing in opposite
direction from which he started. Fig. 73.
HAND SPRING OVER FEET.
55. Clasp hands (do not interlace fingers), No. 1 placing feet on No.
2’s body, No. 2 jumps, and No. 1 pushes hard with feet and keeps his
arms stiff, No. 2 pushing off with hands as he goes over. Figs. 74, 75.
[Illustration]
HAND SPRING FROM FEET.
56. No. 2 grasps No. 1’s ankles and places feet against his body, same
as in No. 55; No. 2 shoves hard from ankles as he goes over, keeping
arms stiff in last part of movement, No. 1 also holding his legs stiff
in last part of movement. Figs. 76, 77.
HAND SPRING FROM KNEES OVER HANDS.
57. No. 2 runs and places hands on No. 1’s knees and hand spring over,
No. 1 shoving his shoulders, if necessary, as he goes over. Fig. 78.
HAND SPRING FROM HANDS OVER FEET.
58. No. 2 steps in No. 1’s hands and grasps the bottoms of feet of No.
1, who holds legs stiff while No. 2 does hand spring over. Figs. 79, 80.
BACK OVER FEET.
59. Standing close to No. 1’s shoulders, No. 2 sits on his feet, leans
back, and No. 1 pushes up hard; No. 2 doubles up for regular back. Figs.
81, 82.
TWISTING BACK OVER FEET.
60. Same as No. 59, only No. 2 throws head quickly to right or left and
alights with back to No. 1.
SIDE OVER FEET.
61. No. 2 stands by side of No. 1, and sits on feet. Rest of movement
same as in No. 59. Figs. 83, 84.
PITCH BACK FROM FEET.
62. No. 2 sits on No. 1’s feet and lays back; No. 1 kicks vigorously,
No. 2 doing regular back movement, and landing away from No. 1 on same
side from which he started, not turning over No. 1 at all. Figs. 85, 86.
[Illustration]
BACK FROM FEET.
63. No. 2 jumps on No. 1’s feet, gets a perfect balance, and does a back
off.
MOUNT TO FEET AND BACK OFF.
64. No. 1 lies on back, feet up, hands on outside of thighs; No. 2
places right foot on No. 1’s left thigh, and presses inside of knee
against No. 1’s foot to steady himself. He then places left foot on No.
1’s left foot and, without touching hands, comes to an erect position,
then back somersault off. Figs. 87, 88.
HAND SPRING FROM ELBOWS.
65. Facing each other, No. 1 places hands on knees, bending over so that
elbows project above back; No. 2 runs, places hands on elbows, and hand
spring over. Figs. 89, 90.
HAND SPRING FROM SHOULDERS.
66. Mount to shoulders as in No. 23, then hand spring off. Figs. 91, 92.
PULL THROUGH TO FEET.
67. Facing in same direction, No. 1 in front, No. 2 rolls to position on
back, arms folded, and straightens knees so that his feet can be grasped
by No. 1, who pulls him through quickly on to feet. Fig. 93.
MISCELLANEOUS
HAND SPRING OVER HEAD FROM HIPS.
68. Facing each other, No. 1 places head between No. 2’s legs and,
grasping his knees, straightens up, throwing No. 2 over his head, who
assists movement by placing his hands on No. 1’s hips and pushing off
hard, elbows stiff. Fig. 94.
[Illustration]
JUMP TO SHOULDERS IN FOUR JUMPS.
69. No. 1 does a hand stand and roll down; No. 2 stands over him, feet
on either side of thighs. No. 2 jumps on No. 1’s back thighs and
immediately jumps straight up, No. 1 coming to hands and knees, and No.
2 lands on No. 1’s back just above hips; No. 2 again jumps straight up,
and No. 1 comes to feet with hands on knees; No. 2 jumps up again, No. 1
comes to an erect position, and No. 2 lands on shoulders. Lean and roll
over.
WALK AROUND.
70. Complete jump to shoulders as in No. 69; No. 1 bends and places
right knee and then left on mat, now crosses feet and sits down,
straightening legs out in front, then lies down, still holding and
steadying No. 2 by ankles, who retains his erect position by standing on
front of No. 1’s shoulders; No. 1 brings legs up, feet well apart, and
No. 2 steps on his right or left hock and mashes it down; No. 1 turns
head to right or left and continues back roll, coming to hands and
knees; No. 2 steps up immediately on his back and does two jumps to
shoulders (lean and roll over, or back or forward somersault off).
DOUBLE ROLL OVER BACK.
71. Get into position as in No. 2; No. 1 presses hard on heels of No. 2,
who comes up quickly and continues movement by rolling on over No. 1’s
back. Figs. 95, 96.
HAND STAND AND DOUBLE OVER.
72. No. 2 does a hand stand, and his ankles are grasped by No. 1, who
stoops over quickly and assists No. 2 in turning the front somersault
after leaving his shoulders, by pushing up hard on No. 2’s ankles
(called a double—the body only turns once and a half). Figs. 97, 98, 99.
[Illustration]
TRIPLE ROLL.
73. Same as No. 4, only three men grasp each other’s ankles and roll
forward. Fig. 100.
BACK FROM THIGHS.
74. Facing each other, No. 1 squats, No. 2 placing hands on No. 1’s
shoulders; No. 2 jumps on his thighs, No. 1 catching him by calves; No.
2 does a back, assisted by No. 1 lifting and raising up. Fig. 101.
FRONT FROM THIGHS.
75. Facing in same direction, No. 1 stoops, and placing his head under
No. 2’s crotch lifts to shoulders, stoops and places No. 2’s feet on his
thighs (or No. 1 grasps No. 2’s hands and lifts to thighs) and grasps
his ankles; No. 2 straightens up and No. 1 pulls his head out, and as
No. 2 jumps for his forward No. 1 assists by raising up and lifting hard
with hands. Fig. 102.
THE BASKET.
76. From this position either a back or front somersault can be easily
thrown. No. 1 grasps his left wrist with right hand; No. 2, same; each
then grasps the other’s right wrist with left hand, thus forming basket.
Fig. 103.
KNEE THREE HIGH.
77. No. 2 lifts No. 3 on shoulders, No. 1 then lifts No. 2 (and No. 3),
No. 3 straightens up and leans forward, No. 2 pulls head out and holds
No. 3 in position by ankles, No. 2 now raises up slightly and leans
forward and No. 1 pulls head out and, straightening up, completes the
knee three high. No. 3 jumps down and rolls over, followed by No. 2 and
No. 1 in quick succession. Figs. 104, 105, 106.
[Illustration]
KNEE THREE HIGH AND FRONTS OFF.
78. Build three high as in No. 77. No. 3 does a front off, then No. 2,
and No. 1 does a standing front. Fig. 107.
STILL MOUNT.
(For Three High.)
79. (The object is for No. 2 to mount to shoulders without moving No. 1
from his tracks. This should first be practiced a number of times on the
floor, and then on top of the horse or buck. When practicing a three
high the top mount should always have around his waist a belt suspended
from the ceiling the first few trials.) Facing each other and clasping
hands, No. 1 pulls No. 2 (who jumps) on his feet, hands above head; No.
2 places left hand on top of No. 1’s head, and clasps his right hand;
No. 2 bends left leg and places his foot in No. 1’s left hand; No. 1
pulls hard with right hand and lifts with left, No. 2 assisting himself
by pressing hard on No. 1’s head with left hand; No. 2 places right foot
on No. 1’s right shoulder and left foot on left shoulder, and comes to
an erect position. Figs. 108, 109, 110.
THREE HIGH.
80. No. 2 mounts to No. 1’s shoulders and grasps No. 3’s hands (Fig.
111) and pulls him to top of No. 1’s shoulders; No. 3 continues on up by
still mount. Lean and fall. Fig. 112.
[Illustration]
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF PROMINENT PHYSICAL DIRECTORS
New Haven, Conn.
W. G. Anderson, Associate Director Yale University Gymnasium: “I
believe in ‘tumbling’ as an exercise. It makes a man quick, agile,
and very sure-footed. It is a form of sport that is popular and
perfectly legitimate when properly taught. We have no good book on
the subject, but need one. If such a work is to be presented to
those interested in this subject, it ought to be written by a man
who has had much experience in actual tumbling, who is familiar with
the mechanism of the body, and who is educated. Dr. James T.
Gwathmey, of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., is just the
person to compile a book on this form of gymnastics. He is a clever
performer, a teacher of wide experience, and an educated physician.
I have looked over the MS. of the Doctor’s new book, and I indorse
it.”
* * * * *
McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
R. Tait McKenzie, M.D.: “I am glad to find some one ready and able
to draw the veil from a branch of gymnastics which the professional
acrobat has so long kept shrouded in mystery. The reducing of the
various feats of tumbling to a progressive sequence, and the
analyzing of the various combinations, is indeed a difficult task;
but your kinetoscope method of illustration will make clear what
would otherwise require pages of description. Your work can not but
assist any one of ordinary ability in mastering the rudiments of the
art; but it will also appeal to the much wider field of all who
admire acrobatics, and will give them some idea of the difficulties
mastered by the professional, whose work they will more fully
appreciate. I wish your book every success.”
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Ithaca, N. Y.
E. Hitchcock, Jr., M.D., Director of Department of Hygiene and
Physical Training, Cornell University: “It has always seemed to me
that this graphic method of instructing is the most useful, and I
know that this subject in your hands will help enormously in
instructing in a decidedly difficult branch of gymnastic work.”
* * * * *
Amherst, Mass.
E. Hitchcock, M.D., Amherst College, Pratt Gymnasium: “In physical
education, as in many other branches of mental and bodily training,
there are some advanced branches which are adapted to the few and
not the many. Acrobatic work is one of these. But it should be
controlled, cultivated, and made good use of, like the other work,
which may be undertaken by anybody. It is a pleasure to know that a
manual on this subject is to be prepared and furnished for our use
by one so capable to issue the book as is Dr. Gwathmey, of
Vanderbilt University. We shall wait impatiently to get hold of it.”
* * * * *
Amherst, Mass.
R. F. Nelligan, Instructor, Amherst College: “For sound men and boys
tumbling is one of the best and most exhilarating of exercises, when
practised under favorable conditions. Of course tumbling on a brick
sidewalk differs from tumbling on a hair-stuffed mattress, with the
aid of the safety appliances while learning. It has been said that
one can not learn after reaching maturity. This is not so, as many
first-class tumblers did not commence until after reaching
twenty-five. At the age of thirty-two I was induced to take up
tumbling under Dr. Gwathmey, and, with the aid of his safety
appliances, succeeded in learning to do fairly well over fifty
different movements and combinations.”
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Kansas City, Mo.
Carl Betz, Supervisor Music and Physical Training, Public Schools:
“Your book, ‘Tumbling for Amateurs,’ which you have announced, will
undoubtedly be hailed with delight by thousands of young American
men who seek and find recreation in this particular kind of
exercise. The photographs that will illuminate the pages of your
book will be of intrinsic value to amateurs, who usually have no
expert teacher to explain to them minutely each step of the
exercise. If the element of danger in tumbling is greater than is
consistent with the needs of physical education, as some claim it
is, then your book, giving such minute instructions, and photographs
of the body passing through the different stages of each exercise,
cannot fail to reduce that danger to a degree which every
interesting gymnastic exercise must contain. I therefore cheerfully
recommend your interesting and timely little book to all who may
wish to learn and practice the delightful pastime of tumbling.”
* * * * *
St. Louis, Mo.
William A. Stecher, Secretary Technical Committee, Nord
Amerikanischer Turnerbund: “I think that your undertaking is a very
commendable one; for I believe that the greater the control a person
has over his body—and tumbling undoubtedly increases this—the better
off he is. I wish you all success.”
* * * * *
Milwaukee, Wis.
Frank Pfister, M.D., Editor Mind and Body: “Received your favor of
the 7th inst., and congratulate you upon the idea of publishing a
manual on tumbling, for nothing recommendable exists in that line.”
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Springfield, Mass.
Luther Gulick, M.D. (“History of Physical Training”), International
Y. M. C. A. Training-School: “Your letter of the 7th is at hand,
with the excellent cuts that were inclosed. You ought not to charge
less than one dollar for the book. I do not know but what you could
get more. I shall be very glad to purchase a copy of the book as
soon as it is published. Please let me know.”
* * * * *
Chicago, Ill.
G. W. Ehler, Physical Director of the Y. M. C. A. of Chicago,
Central Department: “There is a necessity for a good book on
tumbling, as there is none now in print to my knowledge; and I
believe that such a book would meet with a very hearty reception by
physical directors and by others who are interested.”
* * * * *
Boston, Mass.
Robert J. Roberts: “I approve of your idea of getting out such a
book as you speak of. I would keep out the dangerous exercises; or,
if you put them in, hedge them in so that amateurs will not use
them. There is no kind of physical work that will so harmoniously
develop every part of the body as tumbling.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICIAL RULES FOR ALL ATHLETIC SPORTS.
The following list contains the Group and the Number of the book of
Spalding’s Athletic Library in which the rules wanted are contained. See
front pages of book for complete list of Spalding’s Athletic Library.