Begin with a few jumps about twelve feet or so, taking your run for them slowly, starting about twenty yards off and quickening in the last few strides. The great object to be guarded against is taking off to far from the mark, or getting out of step in the run; this can only be obviated by practicing at a certain distance until the necessary swing of the last few strides is acquired. The run to the jump cannot be too fast; in the air the legs should be raised as in going over a high jump, and thrown as far forward on landing as can be done with both heels close together. No fear need be entertained of falling back on alighting if the run is sufficiently fast and the landing place level and soft; the impetus derived from the run gives the heaviest part of the jumper, the trunk, sufficient momentum to carry itself forward when the progress of the feet and legs is arrested. The landing place should be soft to the depth of eight inches, and sufficiently binding to show the marks of the heels clearly on alighting; clay and mould mixed make the best landing ground. A soft place to jump on will prevent any jar to the knees, and will give the jumper more confidence. The concussion caused by landing on hard ground may sometimes cause a serious accident.