OVERHEAD CAST 217 



fault is continued to the final position of the forward 

 cast (see Plate XXVI.)- For a correct position of the 

 arms, hands, and rod at the conclusion of the back 

 cast, see Plate XXIV. 



It is advisable during the back stroke to raise both 

 hands, the left hand being brought nearly to the level 

 of the chin at the end of the stroke (see Diagram 14, 

 Fig. D). The power is obtained by an elbow action 

 of each arm, the right hand being brought backward 

 and the elbow bent out, and the left hand thrust 

 forward, the shoulders being squared as this move- 

 ment is effected. 



If anything, the forward action of the lower hand 

 should be used with greater force in the backward 

 stroke of the rod than should the upper hand. The 

 lower hand should not be extended to the full length 

 of the arm, but should be brought to a sudden stop 

 ere this be reached, and the upper hand should be 

 lifted well up and be stopped before it reaches the 

 perpendicular line of the shoulder. In the same way 

 the forward action of the upper hand in the forward 

 stroke should be checked when the angle of the rod 

 is within 40 degrees of the horizon, and the lower 

 hand brought back to its original position (see Plate 

 XXVI.) close to the body. By this action the imaginary 

 clay fixed to the top of the rod would be jerked alter- 

 nately backward and forward, and a perfect action of 

 the line will be obtained. 



The rod is checked at the end of the cast with a jerk, 

 and the line will then curl backward over the top of 



