Manual of physical training.

Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Manual of physical training. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/296 (page 20)
    m view the remarks on the use of the Tables in Section XIII) care- fully study the Table to be performed. Duiing the lesson he should have a copy of the Table with him on a card for reference if required. The card should not, however, be consulted more than is necessary, and then only when the men are standing easy—never when they are at Attention, or performing an exercise, ° Explanation and Illustration op Exercises. 58. The instructor, when giving explanations, should, as a rule, take up a position in which he can see every man in the class, and they can see him without moving or turning their heads very much from their front. He should not therefore be too close to the class, or too far away. This does not mean that he is always to remain stationary, but that he should place himself where he can, according to the circumstances, best control his men, and observe the per- formance of the exercises. 59. Explanations of exercises should only be given when they are required, and then only when the men are standing easy. They should not be made longer than can be helped, and should be given in simple language which can be easily understood by the men, and not in the words of the book. In giving explanations a conversational tone should be adopted, and not a monotonous intonation, as if repeating a lesson. 60. It should, as a rule, only be necessary to give a full explanation of a new exercise, or of the new portion of an exercise, and the ex- planation should then be given, and the exercise illustrated, im- mediately before it is performed. The class should therefore be formed up or opened out ready for the exercise, apparatus in position, etc., as the case may require, before the explanation is given. 61. The most essential features of the exercise should be explained first, and, later on, the details may be added. Reference to too many details at one time is more likely to confuse the men than assist them. 62. Long explanations should not be repeated more than is absolutely necessary, although a certain amount of repetition is indispensible, in order that the men may thoroughly understand what is required of them. This repetition should, as a rule, take the form of a few words remindiiig the men of the special point to notice in the exercise, perhaps accompanied by an explanatory movement or position. A word or a sign is often quite sufficient for the purpose. 63. Exercises should be illustrated either by the instructor himself performing them, or by causing an assistant or a smart pupil to perform them. Most new exercises should, as a rule, be set by the instructor himself, but in many instances an exercise can be better explained