nder as the right arm comes
forward.

_Leg Strokes._--The legs perform the regular scissors kick at the same
time with left arm action, then cross them over and make a smaller
scissors kick in conjunction with right arm action while the body is
rolling, as in Fig. 25. The arms and legs should be relaxed except when
the arms are making their sweep and the legs are snapping together,
otherwise the pupil will be under a constant strain which is not
conducive to good form in swimming. The pupil may find it very difficult
at the start to time this stroke.

[Illustration: FIGURE 25]

THE CRAWL STROKE

The Crawl and Trudgeon Crawl are by all means the fastest strokes for
propelling the human body through the water up to date. The crawl stroke
as originally introduced was a combination of the trudgeon arm stroke
with a leg drive used by the natives of the South Sea Islands. This
stroke has since been so changed by leading swimmers, it is probably
entirely different from that originally introduced. A great many amateur
and professional coaches advocate the teaching of the crawl to
beginners. I would have the pupil note the difference between a Coach
and Swimming Instructor. The Coach's pupil knows how to swim, but the
Instructor must first teach his pupil. The coaches are so much in favor
of the crawl they advocate everybody being taught it when first
learning. On the other hand, the Instructor knows that it would take
twice as long to teach the crawl to a nervous beginner.

[Illustration: FIGURE 26]

I have had, in consequence, a deluge of requests from novices that they
be taught the crawl, so I wish to spread broadcast the fact that it is
_absolutely_ essential for pupils to acquire confidence by first
learning the simple Back and Dalton strokes. The principal reason for
this is the fact that beginners, 85% of whom are nervous, extremely
so, will naturally not immerse their faces, and as this stroke must be
swum with the face under water it will readily be seen why I differ with
the coaches referred to. The crawl, like all other strokes in swimming,
must be done slowly to attain speed, and the body relaxed.

Bend all your efforts to acquiring form; speed will come later with
constant practise, patience and perseverance. The crawl may be done
correctly with varying details, depending on the physique of the
swimmer, and ability of the coach to apply the proper methods to his
pupil. I have swum the crawl in all its va