Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/203

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How Agility is Acquired
143

himself from a successful new attack by wriggling or dodging to one side or the other—and this must be to the opposite side from which the opponent seems likely to attack. It is not to be expected by the one who is rising that his adversary will wait for him to regain his feet before attacking. The Japanese take the sensible view that, in combat, there are no such things as "fouls." Any hold or blow is permissible while the intended victim is down or is attempting to rise to his feet. The only aim is victory, and this may be secured in any manner that is possible.

Practice is given in sitting on the floor with the legs in front, slightly spread, and with the hands on the floor at the side, but a little to the rear of the back. From this position the student leaps to his feet without turning to either side in rising. Difficult as this work is, it can be accomplished in time, or else the young man has not followed his instruction, in all its details, with the care that has been expected of him. After this the next task is performed by sitting on the floor, with the legs in the same position, but without support from the