Page Four

THE FIRST AIDER

Gardner, Kansas

Superior Condition Will Win Tough

Games

By Lewis P. Andreas, Director of Athletics and Head Basketball Coach,
University of Syracuse

In thirteen years as head basketball coach .of Syracuse, Coach Andreas’
teams have won 191 games and lost only 41. His short story on condition-
ing is well worth studying.

 

Lewis P. Andreas

 

That’s the axiom impressed on all
Syracuse University basketball candi-
dates, in fact, upon all competitors
in all lines of sport.

However, being head coach of bas-
ketball at Syracuse, I will confine
myself to that field.

From the first call for practice, is-
sued late in October or early Novem-
ber, the squad is warned that plen-
ty of hard work lies ahead. But the
certain reward is always held out
that in the close hard-fought games,
the team in better condition can in-
variably win in the “stretch” drive
in the final 10 minutes of play.

Our early drills are largely con-
fined to loosening up muscles and
ball handling, aiming at coordination

 

Editor’s note:—“Ye Ed” had _ the
pleasure of spending a day with Mr.
Andreas at the Hotel Pennsylvania
in New York, at the time the north-
east division of the National Bas-
ketball Coaches Association was or-
ganized. It was a day well spent—
meeting this group of distinguished
coaches from Cornell, Columbia,
Fordham, Army, Harvard, Yale, etc.

 

of brain, hands and feet. As the tem-
po of workouts picks up, emphasis
is placed on quick starts and stops.
This is a drill we use almost daily.
It strengthens the leg muscles and
builds stamina in these all-important

°

 

“yt AS

 

 

appendages. Exact attention is paid
to the technical methods, however,
as the drill has its important fea-
tures of play, such as proper posi-
tion to shoot or pass, readiness for
pivot, etc.

Scrimmages are progressively long-
er and more strenuous, aiming at
building a team that can hit top
speed for the entire 40 minutes of
play. After mid-season, close atten-
tion must be paid to the physical re-
sults of these workouts to prevent
the danger of “staleness.” At times
we resort to a 24-hour, sometimes 48,
layoff if it is evident that a complete
absence from the court will be bene-
ficial. This is a matter that must be
determined by a close observation of
the squad’s efficiency and improve-
ment during the season.

Needless to say, tobacco, liquor
and heavy “social” engagements are

out. We have no training table for

this sport at Syracuse but every
player is instructed to eat only plain,
wholesome food, with heavy sweets
taboo. We ask each man to live a
normal, regular life, which calls for
plenty of rest. .

Every practice is attended by our
veteran trainer, Frank Hugo, who al-
so makes our trips. In addition to
caring for actual physical needs he
carefully watches for reactions of
players that might be traced to fa-
tigue and the like. very candidate
undergoes a strict medical examina-
tion before being allowed to partici-
pate and is subject to additional ob-
servations by our medical staff
throughout the college year. We are
equipped with a modern medical of-
fice in the gymnasium.

Speed, endurance, coordination—
these are the things we work for in
the conditioning field—vital needs
necessary to success in practically
every athletic endeavor.

oat

The sense of equilibrium in the
body, is located in the inner ear.
When athletes stagger after a “play
or pile up” it may be an indication
of a blow on the hea@ guard. Of
course, it is possible that staggering
comes from exhaustion, but this is a
place where each individual case
must be decided at the time.

OS

A second string sub is better than

an exhausted first line player,

 

Published by the Cramer Chemical Co.

 

 

Thomas F. Keane

Tom Keane, Track and Cross Coun-
try Coach at Syracuse University has
an enviable record in his years of
service.

He is a master of track strategy
and always develops the utmost in his
athletes. Mr. Keane has served as an
Olympic coach.

 

Foot Notes

The foot is one size larger whiie
walking than it is while sitting.

Your toes pull you. along—provid-
ing they are not cramped so_ they
can’t function.

Without shoes, your toes would sep-
erate and each would become a strong
functioning unit.

Standing erect helps rest and
strengthen the feet.
Walking with the head up and

chest out, and the hips in (to the
front), will assist the feet.

Carry yourself like you would when
you step sideways through a very nar-
row space.

Germs Don’t Stop for
Sunday—

—or any other day or even for a min-
ute. Certain fundamental laws cf na-
ture are inflexible and_ realizing
them, we plan accordingly.

We would not expect any special
dispensation for one who should jump
from a skyscraper. The same severe
law of life governs the growth of
harmful bacteria—for under ideal
conditions, one single germ can grow
to eight million over night.

This shows the vicious effect of
neglect. Don’t do it—sterilize every
cut and scratch with Nitrophen—
right now—germs don’t give up with-
out a fight.

——

Are you a good housekeeper? Is
your training room in such condition
that you would at any time welcome
visitors,

—