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Indian Clubs

First get your clubs, the weight of which you must ascertain for yourself--for boys clubs of about five or six pounds are quite heavy enough, and can be procured heavier as we proceed. Remember that in these exercises the body should be erect as possible, and both arms must be exercised, without favour, in turn.

Exercise I. Stand at "attention" holding the clubs by the sides. Then raise them sideways and forwards to the horizontal position frequently first with each hand alternately and then with both together.

Exercise II. The pupil can then proceed to elevate them over his head with extended arms--alternately and together--swing them back and forth, letting the heels rise from the ground with each back-swing. Exercise III. Circular exercises with clubs are not so easy. Extend the arms straight from the shoulders, the clubs being held out horizontally. Keeping one arm thus extended, swing the other club in a circle, commencing from the upright position and resting there. Then drop to horizontal line and repeat with left arm. If you are careful, you can swing both together, but practice is necessary for this, as the clubs may clash together. Exercise IV. The above may be varied by swinging the clubs over the head and behind the neck alternately. To do this properly, the clubs should first be held upright, the hands close to the sides, clubs touching the shoulders. Throw the right club round and over the other, keeping the latter firmly at the shoulder and letting the right hand and club fall behind the neck. Bring it up to first position and repeat motions with left club. This is a difficult feat at first for a boy.

Exercises V. & VI. Extend the club above the head, and then slowly drop it behind the back, the arm being bent at the elbow. This is good for what are called elbow exercises, and may be alternated with others of the same class in which the elbows are held close to the sides and the clubs permitted to fall into the horizontal position without permitting the elbow to quit the ribs. "Circling the clubs" is a very effective manner of showing one's command over them, but should be done carefully, and after practice the clubs can be swung in circles with straight arms alternately and with both, and even with both in opposite directions at the same time. To do this last properly, the second club should start when the first has got half round its orbit. The circles can be also performed behind the back, and finally both front and rear circles can be executed rapidly, one club at the back and the other in a front circle. In this case the legs should be extended and the weight of the body be upon the right (bent) knee.

Practice makes perfect.