The Cramer
Trade Mark

 

Use Cramer First Aids

Volume XIII

t

The First Aider

JANUARY, 1944
Condensed First Aid Information jor the Coach and Trainer

tea ac)

Published By
The Cramer Chemical Co.

Gardner,

Copyright 1943

Kangas

sak

30,000 Copies This Issue

(No. 1

“In the present emergency no greater responsibility rests upon the institutions of higher
learning than that of ensuring the physical fitness of their students.

 

 

 

JOHN W. STUDEBAKER,
U. S. Commmissioner of Education

 

 

Obstacle Course
Construction And

Operation :
By

LIEUT. WILLIAM NEUFELD,
USNR
(Head, Mass Exercise Division, U. S.

f
Navy Pre-Flight School,

 

 

DEL MONTE, CALIF.

In the spring of 1942, when interest and enthusiasm in obstacle
courses were developing rapidly, the military track department of
the U. S. Navy Pre-Flight School at Chapel Hill, N. C., was faced
with the problem of building and operating an obstacle course.

In my department I was blessed with four very capable assist-
ants. Two of the men were from Columbia University: Lieut. (j.g.)
Frank Ryan, one of the best shot putters this country has ever
seen, and Lieut. Bob Pitkin, one of the few men who can very
ably demonstrate and coach the three most used forms of high
jumping.

The third member was Lieut. John Morriss, one of the top-
notch hurdlers this country has developed. The fourth member
in my department was Lieut. Ivan Fuqua, one of the few men
who has run under 47 seconds for the quarter, and a member of
the 1932 Olympic Team.

After a great deal of discussion and sweating (most of the lat-
ter being done by Morriss, because he had charge of building
the course), our obstacle course was completed. Next we were
faced with the problem of running the entire regiment of cadets,
1,800 in number, one day a week. These cadets were ours for an
hour and fifteen minutes, on Wednesday afternoons.

We felt it was desirable to time every cadet. This would give

us a definite check on their improvement and conditioning and ~

weed out the weak and lazy ones so additional work could be
assigned them. It would also give us a week-by-week picture of
the improvement by battalions.

After a good deal of experimentation, we found that it is pos-
sible to time 1,000 to 1,500 contestants an hour in obstacle run-
ning with the method outlined below.

Five officials are needed to control the running of the obstacle
course. Three of the officials act as recorders - one as a starter
and one official as the timer at the finish. A sixth official is
helpful, in keeping the contestants in the proper order after
crossing the finishing line. 7

Before running the course, each contestant should be assigned
a number. (If possible, contestants should be allowed to keep
this number for the entire competitive period in obstacle run-

ning.) Contestants need only keep their own number in mind,
since any discrepancy is soon corrected, when the records are
checked.

s
After numbers have been assigned, contestants are lined up,
from 2 to 8 abreast, according to the number the course will
allow to run at one time. On a special prepared blank, as given
in the example below, one recorder copies the contestant’s num-
bers, in units, before they report to the starter.

   

 

EXAMPLE
Lanes
Unit......
No. of Starting
Unit EL 2 8 5 6 7 8 Time
il Al A3 A4 Ad AT Ad A10 All 200
2. A12 A413 Al5 :20

 

Before starting the first unit, the officials determine the in-
terval of time to be used between the starting of units. These
intervals may be 10, 15, 20 or 30 seconds, depending upon the
“number of contestants in each unit. As each unit of contestants
steps up to the starting line, the starter announces to them the
time difference from zero starting time to THEIR starting time.
The starting time of each unit is recorded in the right-hand
column, as indicated in the blank form above.

When the first unit is ready to start, the official acting as
starter signals to the timer at the finish line the start of the first
unit with the swing of his arm, or a gun shot. The starter’s and
the timer’s stop watches start together on this signal. As soon as one
unit of contestants has left the starting line, the néxt unit steps
up. About 2 seconds before their starting time, the starter gives
the command “READY”, followed by the command “GO”.

Beyond the finish line an area is roped off, funnel-shaped and
about 40 feet long. This is used to keep the contestants in the
order of their finish, and at the same time give them a chance
to slow down before reaching the final recorder’s desk, which
is placed at the end and at the side of the funnel. The position
of the timer is right on the finish line, and opposite his recorder.
As the contestants cross the finish line, the timer calls out their
times in minutes and full seconds. These times are written down
by the recorder on a blank, as indicated below. Times need to
be announced and recorded only in seconds, except when a new
minute starts.

 

 

 

EXAMPLE
Uniti Date...

Finish Finish Finish Finish No. Time No. ‘Time
No. Time No.. Time No, Time No. Time Finish No. Time
84807 BI 488 = Cle TOL. Ok 49:48", S12 151
2 Si 32 84 + 62 54. 92 50-122 152
It helps to have an assistant at this point just beyond the

finish line, to make sure that the contestants stay in the order
of their finish.

As the contestants step up to the recorder’s desk, at the end
of the funnel, they give their numbers. This the recorder copies
down on a blank form, as indicated below.

Sample of Recording Sheets

 

 

Unit...... Date..... a
No, Order Finish Starting Net No. Order Finish Starting Net
No. Time Time Running No. Time Time Time
Time
1 A4 8:27 =O 3:27 31 A385. 4:88 «9§1:00 8:88
Oe Ae Alot 88 0 8:31 82+ - Aap /'4iB4* 1300 8:84
3 Ad 33.
4 Ad 34

 

By writing in ‘the finished times, next to the order of the fin-
ish, and then filling in the contestants’ starting time, the net
running time can easily be computed.

(Continued on page 3, columns 7 and 8)

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

—WITH RESERVATIONS

A-new year rolls around, and
we extend greetings.

with the change of calendar—

We extend our sincere wishes for good

health and a continued capacity for @ lot of hard work.

Another year we might include such things as happiness,
peace on earth, good will toward men, etc:—now we think of

Churchill.
tears”,

He offered the English nothing but “blood and

Starting the new year—you are right now offered the sing-
ular privilege of giving a fight talk. You are asked to think
up all the adjectives and arguments in your vocabulary. Pre-
pare this lecture in great detail—leaving nothing out that will
help the war effort—then go off in the corner and give this talk

to—YOURSELF!

To get the New Year started without misunderstandings—you

are expected to furnish the hard

labor, grime, grease and heart

aches, and take your pay in a feeling of satisfaction—OF A JOB

WELL DONE.

Do you understand your assignment?

Of course you do—and

let us be the first to congratulate you because you are equipped

with the education to do the job.

You will not receive medals,

ribbons, and citations for your

work, but just the same a monument is being erected to your ef-
forts. That monument is now fighting on the battle fronts of the
world, and you are reéeiving the decorations by proxy.

 

 

Liquid Ball Cleaner

Now Contains Mold-
Resisting Ingredient

All leather edodssronttallss bas-
ketballs, shoes, shoulder pads, hel-
mets—are hard to get, largely for
the reason that the boys you trained
for the various services are being
supplied with them. Your present
stocks may have to last for the
duration.

Mold saps the life of leather—
causes it to crack—reduces its life
expectancy.

Before placing leather equipment,
or equipment made partly of leath-
er, in storage, give it a generous
coating of Cramer’s Liquid Ball
Cleaner. It is easily applied with
a soft cloth or brush.

Used footballs and basketballs
should be cleaned and polished ac-
cording to the directions on the}
label.

This is an additional Cramer
Service—AT NO ADDITIONAL
COST TO YOU.

F-A

For Your
Bulletin Board?

If you're really ambitious—

1. Limit the calls on your girl to
6 nights a week.

2. When you get up to leave -turn
on the light. If you don’t you
might fall over a chair.

. Don’t stand on the ‘porch and
catch cold. When you start home -
go!

wo

Dress like a scarecrow - it in-
trigues women.

. Don’t stand straight. Try to look
like a sack of turnips.

-

oa

a

. Be languid don’t show pep.
Be lackadaisical - or something.

. Cultivate that blank look—it
fools the teacher.

J

Learn to dance without moy-
ing.

Eat all you can—it helps hold
up your pants.

ico

9

10. Sit a lot—it broadens one’s out-
look.
F-A

?

What boy will stick his feet into
a cold liquid foot-bath—this time
of year if he can jump over it?

If he uses the liquid foot-bath,
will he wipe the liquid off—with
a clean towel—or the dirty one in
his locker?

Is it possible that he may use
this same towel on the rest of his
body where he may have skin
abrasions or galled skin?

sess 8
The “Cramer Powder Foot-Bath”
is the clean, speedy, up-to-date

method!

 

 

See |

Setting Up Exercises
Advisable In Basketball

Boys who play basketball are al-
ways anxious to start shooting.
They see no necessity for using
stretching and setting up exercises.

A few of these exercises are ad-
visable for limbering up shoulders,
backs, hips, knees, and ankles. It
will insure better balance and more
accurate shooting.

Even The Coach
Has A Fault

By
CHUCK CRAMER

None of us like preaching. We
don’t like to be told continually
that we can’t do things correctly.
We don’t like naggers and folks
that continually find fault. Never-
theless, here WE are again, doing
it. We must be nuts—or maybe
we are just a coach at heart—or
maybe we are both—they often go,
or come, together.

Now that we have started some-
thing—let’s try and finish it— and
maybe get eliminated. Anyway
you-figure it—we will be in trouble.

The trouble with the coach is
(and we are short of paper) that
he has spells. He has spells of

Ss

    

 

 

During the second half he often

 

amnesia.
He has spells of amentia.
superintendent says).
spots.

(The

and quite often on the first floor,
too. He wants to be alone, and with
the team at the same time. His
friends? He doesn’t have any or
want any—doesn’t know them if
they come around. ‘

During the game he _ changes.
Death takes a holiday (mental
death). His mouth opens, and some-
thing comes out.—(We can’t repeat
it.) It isn’t important anyway—the
team runs itself nicely. Anima-
tion sets in—the opposite from rig-
or mortis. He stalks back and
forth, eats hay, gulps water, cus-
ses the referee and quarterback.
He yells— “slug ‘em’! He doesn’t
mean that. He means “murder de
bums”,

Between halves he makes a po-|
litical speech. He doesn’t know}
what he has said, and the kids are!
too tired to pay any attention—so |
all is well—no harm done. pat

|

 

(His wife told me so.) |

He has blind ;
Just before a game he draws ;
ja blank. He is vacant upstairs—j}

has lapsed into or toward. sanity.
| There are signs of coming to. He
‘doesn’t stop to count the gate, but
‘can button his coat and adjust his
tie—without help from the water
{boy. Once in a while he thinks—
| (nothing serious). He even re-
members that he hasn’t had lunch.
He then drops back into oblivion—
or something Morpheus dreamed up,
land starts on another bale of hay.

| The final whistle blows. The

‘game is over. He wakes up. He,
takes a deep breath of fresh, sweet

air. He smiles and thinks! He

becomes rational and, all at once—

a gentleman and a scholar.

|

| Listen coach, we didn’t mean a
}word of it. We envy you because
we like the games you coach. We
jenjoy being the smallest cog (or
|nut) in your machine—just permit
jus that honor and we will be satis-

fied. ‘

F-A

Ms Buy War Savings Stamps! pea

Military Drill Should Not Take The Place Of Physical Education? ~

Mr. Frank Cramer

 

Federal Security Agency
S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Washington
November 22, 1943

U.

The Cramer Chemical Company

Gardner, Kansas

Dear Mr.-Cramer:

Commissioner Studebaker has asked me to reply to your letter of November 18,
requesting permission to print the letter of Henry L. Stimson, dated June 16, on the
subject, “Mliitary Drill Should Not Take The Place of Physical Education.” Inasmuch
as Secretary Stimson has recently issued another letter, dated November 4, 1943, copy
enclosed, in further clarification of his June 16 letter, may I suggest that you print

both letters in your FIRST AIDER.

Enclosure

Dear Dr. Studebaker:

Sincerely yours,
RALL I. GRIGSBY,

Special Assistant to the Commissioner

 

WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington

June 16, 1943

I have your letter asking whether the War Department recommends that military
drill take the place of physical education in the curriculum of schools and colleges.
I assume your question to apply only to the period of the present war and not to periods

of peace.

The amount of military drill which can be given in schools and colleges can also
be given after induction into the Army, in a relatively short period of time, and under
the most productive circumstances. A good physical condition, however, cannot be de-
veloped in so short a space of time, and the physical condition of a soldier is of prime
importance to the War Department. —

The War Department does not want to appear to advise upon the make-up of
a curriculum, nor to go beyond outlining some of the elements which the Army believes
would be advantageous in its recruits. Of these, a good physical condition is extremely
important and a knowledge of basic military drill relatively unimportant.

The War Department. therefore does not recommend that military drill take
the place of physical education in the schools and colleges during this war period.

The War Department has no objection to the publication of this statement,
provided it is quoted in its entirety.

Dear Dr. Studebaker:

Sincecrely yours,

 

WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington

Henry L. Stimson,
Secretary of war os

November 4, 1943

3 This is to amplify my letter of June 16, 1943, on the War Department’s recom-
mendation on military drills’ taking the place of physical education during the present

war.

It was‘not the intention of the War Department to imply that Military drills
were unimportant. Properly conducted military drills and parades do have their place.
Wherever possible, both should be included in the curriculum: however, if this is not
practicable and a choice must be made, physical education is considered the most im-
portant. As has been stated previously, the War Department does not want to appear .
to advise upon the makeup of a curriculum other than suggesting some training which
is believed advantageous for inductees to have had prior to entering the service.
? The War Department has no objection to the publication of this statement
provided it is quoted in its entirety.

Sincerely yours,
Henry L. Stimson,
Secretary of War,

Time Out

By
Frank

Cramer

 

In the pages of “A Training Room
Manual” appearing in this issue,
we present some subjects that are
absolutely foreign to athletic train-
ing—from a treatment angle. They
are, however, kindred because they
broaden your perspective and in-

 

Professional Courtesy--

Or Just Ordinary
Good Manners

Have you some person or com-

mittee delegated to meet the visit- :

ing coach and team when they ar-
rive to play at your school?

Where do we dress? Where are
the toilets? Where is the closest
restaurant? Where do we get drink-
ing water? Will somebody keep the
kids away so we can relax and
rest? These questions - and many
others indicate a lack of profes-
sional courtesy - if there is a nec-
essity for asking them.

What is character building and
common courtesy? What part do
they play in athletics in life?
What are schools for, anyway?

A few years ago we were privi-
leged to accompany Coach D. X.
Bible, of Texas, when he met a
visiting: team at the station.

In brief, his greeting went some-
thing like this: “Welcome to Aus-
tin. Your hotel rooms and meals
are arranged for before and after
the game. You folks will have the
north dressing room. There will
be a bus at the hotel to take your
squad to the stadium. The bus will
be available for a sight seeing trip
around the capitol and university.
This young man (introducing him),
is one of our assistant’ managers.
He has made all necessary arrange-
ments and will go with you to help
your managers get oriented.”

The University of Arizona is fa-
mous for its hospitality. Quite of-
ten they even go so far as to ban-
quet teams that are visiting them
for the first time.

Here are just two examples taken
from the hundreds that occur each
year. We don’t suggest that you
have to go this far to show “good
manners”, but the “Golden Rule”
should be stressed as part of the
player’s education.

F-A
Coaching Etiket

 

Never slug a member of the
school board—even if he deserves
it. He may have a wife and 6 kids.

e°¢

Never, under any circumstances,
speak to an official after a game.
Wait until he leaves and take it
out on your wife.

s 8

Always congratulate the winning
coach—your competitor. Some day,
he may do as much for you.

s 6

The Sportswriter deserves extra
consideration. He may be carrying
some secret sorrow in his breast.
A kind word and a pat on the
pback—may help him carry on.
Don’t be churlish with him!

F-A

 

 

Firm Grip

A paste to be applied to finger-
tips. Contains adhesives of wax
and rosin—is intended as an aid
to basketball players.

A small amount of Firm-Grip
helps prevent fumbling—permits
better ball handling—Also some
players report a feeling of security
which Helps them overcome the
nervousness at the start of a game.

 

Firm Grip is easy to apply and
a small jar will last through many
games,

crease your ability to work with
Rew team physician.

| In our travels over the country,
|we have observed a lack of co-
‘operation with the team physician.
This lack of cooperation may have
been mutual. Let us hasten to say
that, if it did occur, it was a mis-
‘take—and should not happen in
ithe future.

Everyone knows that you should
not treat appendicitis. But you
should be able to recognize the
symptoms and know—what not to
do!

Frankly speaking, we all have
plenty to learn about the repair of
injury to the human body. The
sooner we recognize our lack of
knowledge and try to correct our
faults, the sooner we will send boys
out of school—fit to fight, and. not
with some permanent knee or back
injury. <

These subjects are presented for
| study. because we believe your per-
»spective should be broadened. We
feel that they cover subjects that
are related’ to, but not a part of
your work—but quite often they are
your responsibility.

 

The “First Aider” is prepared for
the express purpose of aiding you in
coping with your training problems.
We hope that you find it of ma-
terial help.

Please, always keep in mind that -
our discussions are of a general
nature. Complications and local
‘conditions do not permit of definite
conclusions.

es

Quite often we are asked to pre-
scribe some treatment for some dis-
ease or injury. Please do not ask
this of us. i

The best results for all concerned
;may only be obtained by full co-
operation with your team or school
: physician.

Last Spring, after the close of
the basketball season, something
occurred that should not be per-
mitted to happen this year. There
was a LET DOWN from March un-
til. the close of school. Many
‘coaches quit their programs and
“rested” until school closed. This
“Jet down” was not general, just
spotted, but it was nation wide.

This “let down” should not oc-
cur! There will besno relaxing of
| the war effort, and there should be
‘none in training prospective sol-
diers.

Your training program is very
important as a morale builder as
well as from a physical  dngle.
Please don’t let down for a minute!

. ¢

* £

It is estimated that 3,000,000
school age youngsters have quit
school and gone into war plants or
other defense work.

*

This situation is serious and
should be combatted with every
means at your disposal. A large
percentage of these youngsters will
never again attend school, and will,
at least in some cases, be a handi-
cap to future national progress.

It should be pointed out that
temporary financial gain is not to
be compared with the solid founda-
tion your school system affords.

 

One hundred odd years ago we
had a race of Americans who carv-
ed out the mid-west. ‘They lived
‘on sow-belly, cornbread and “tat-
ers”. Their dessert was sorghum
and parched corn. ‘These ances-
tors had no roads. They made
trails through the wilderness. They

(Continued on page 4, col, 2)
\