A system of physical culture by Carl Betz ...

Book Second Gymnastic Tactics

INCLUDING RUNNING- AND HOPPING, FANCY STEPS AND FANCY MARCHES, MARCH AND SONG REIGEN

SECOXD REVISED EDITIO.

tD/T/OJV

PUBLISHED BY

A. FLANAGAN

263 Wabash Avenue, Chicago

Copyright, 1894,

BY

CARL BETZ,

EXPLANATORY.

The author's works are based upon the principles of the German system of gymnastics. But the use of the essentials of this system, their classification, the gradation of exercises, the system of commands, the grand divisions of the whole subject-matter and all that pertains to the adaptation-of gymnastics to the Public School system of the United States, is the original work of the author.

DEFINITION.

With Physical Culture we aim to unfold the natural and symmetrical beauty of the human body, making it fit and capable in every phase of moral life to carry out the will of the supreme master — the mind.

TACTICS.

Tactic exercises are evolutions performed by a number of persons in common. Tiie evolutions are based upon the positions and movements of the individual and culminate in positions and movements of groups of individuals.

On the part of the instructor, Tactics is the art of arranging and directing the evolutions of a body of persons according to certain laws.

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.

A LARGE, empty, cleanly kept and well ventilated room or hall is an almost indispensable adjunct to tactic exercises. The ideal place for such drill, however, is a large level piece of ground and this, if available and the weather permitting, should always be resorted to.

Unfortunately few city schools have a convenient place for tactic exercises and where there is a suitable place at the disposal of the teacher, it is seldom desirable on account of the detracting influences to which a public place is exposed.

Still, tactic exercise should be given in one way or other in every school and, if the teacher is gifted with only the slightest bit of originality, they can be made interesting even in the study-room.

Girls should be encouraged by their teachers to wear loose-fitting dresses. The body must have perfect freedom of movement in gymnastic exercises. The best time for tactic exercises is 10 o'clock A. M., and a drill of 15 minutes is sufficient.

Tactics should not, as a rule, be given in the time set apart for recreation. During recess popular gymnastics and plays and games should be indulged in by the pupils. (See the Author's Book IV., Popular Gymnastics).

The last part of this book contains a syhabus of grade work in Tactics which will aid the teachers in making their selections of exercises.

Contents

MISCELLANEOUS.

PAGE.

Explanatory 3

Part First. Tactics

A. OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

Standing position 25

Resting positions 32

Facing 28

Marking time 31

Walking 43

Halting 32

B. OF THE RANK.

Facing at a halt. 28

' ' while marking time 52

on a march 52

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Marking time from a halt , 31

Marching from marking time 43

" a halt 43

Halting " marking time 32

a march 32

FORMATION OF RANKS.

Front rank, flank rank, oblique rank, circular ranks, 33

ALIGNEMENTS.

At a halt, front, flank, oblique and circular ranks. . . 35

STEPPING.

Forward, backward, sideways and oblique 38

COUNTING OFF.

In front and flank ranks 39

RANK CONNECTIONS.

In front rank 41

In flank " 43

In circular ranks 43

MARCHING IN RANK.

Front, flank, oblique and circular rank, forward,

backward, sidewaj^s and oblique 43

Length of steps 44

Degrees of speed 44

TRANSFORMATION OF RANKS :

f Of the front rank 50

" " oblique " 50

" " circular " 50

Of the front rank 52

" " obhque " 52

" " circular " 52

At a halt

On a march

CLOSE AND OPEN ORDER 54

CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF THE LINE OF MARCH :

CONTENTS. . 9

WHEELINGS : p^ge

Fixed pivot ■ .

Movable "

CHANGING AND RE-FORMING RANKS :

The front rank 64

" oblique " 64

" circular " 64

C. THE BODY OF RANKS.

FORMATION OF THE LINE :

The front line 67

FORMATION OF THE COLUMN :

The front column 67

OPEN AND CLOSE ORDER :

Rank and file 70

MARCHING OF A BODY : 71

CHANGE OF DIRECTION :

Of the line 72

WHEELINGS OF THE RANKS OF A BODY.

WHEELINGS OF A BODY.

OftheUne 73

TRANSFORMATION OF A BODY.

Of the line 76

ASCENDING AND DESCENDING STAIRS. 78 lb CONTENTS.

Part Third. Gymnastic Positions

POSITIONS OF THE ARMS.

Arms folded backward. ']

" " forward.

Hands on hips.

" over shoulders.

" " head Fists at sides. j

Horizontal position forward.

" " outward.

Vertical ' ' downward.

" " upward.

Slanting ' ' downward.

" " upward. J

POSITIONS OF THE FEET.

Direct step-positions.

Oblique "

Cross "

Balance ' ' J Step-positions with bending knees.

On toes. ^

On heels. V

Bending knees. J

Part Fifth. Fancy Steps

Balance step.

Follow "

Balance-follow step.

Change " [

Double change ' ' Polka Glide

Heel and toe "

Longe-reverse ' ' Combinations and v^ariations.

CONTENTS. 11 PART SIXTH.

PLAIN AND FANCY MARCHES.

PAGE

Plain march 121

Fancy " 123

SongReigen 127

Part Seventh. March Music And Reigen Songs

March. G3^mnastic Greeting 135

Polka 135

March Song. Come, let us gaily wander 135

" " Away to the Woodland 135

The Miller's Boy 127