Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/205

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How Agility is Acquired
145

ing to gain enough purchase to enable him to spring from the floor in such manner that he towers over his rising antagonist and is able to vanquish him by throwing him over backward and falling upon him. If the victor can disengage his hands he is then able to employ the arm-pinch, the throat-hold, or any of the other tricks used in subduing the under man. In any case the man on top uses the knee-jab in the solar plexus.

Another excellent exercise for the making of agility is for the young man to throw himself forward upon his knees without allowing his hands to touch the floor. As soon as he has fallen he instantly rises to his feet, and stands with his hands before him as if awaiting the attack of an adversary.

Agility may be acquired, also, by throwing one's self face down, resting on hands and toes, without allowing the trunk or the legs to touch the floor. While in this position, look rapidly over the left shoulder, and then over the right—always in swift alternation. This does much to teach the student on which side he should try to rise when there is an opponent over him