Obstacle Courses and Additional Drills - Starting Dosage And Progression


The starting session is six repetitions of each exercise. The progression rate is an increase of one repetition for each three periods of exercise. Soldiers continue this rate until they do 12 repetitions with no rest between exercises. This level is maintained until another drill is used.

START POSITIONS
The soldiers fall in facing their log, with toes about four inches away.

Right-Hand Start Position, Move
On the command “Move,” move the left foot 12 inches to the left, and lower the body into a flatfooted squat. Keep the back straight, head up, and arms between the legs. Encircle the far side of the log with the left hand. Place the right hand under the log.

Left-Hand Start Position, Move
This command is done the same way as the preceding command. However, the left hand is under the log, and the right hand encircles its far side.

Right-Shoulder Position, Move
This command is given from the right-hand-start position. On the command “Move,” pull the log upward in one continuous motion to the right shoulder. At the same time, move the left foot to the rear and stand up, facing left. Balance the log on the right shoulder with both hands. This movement cannot be done from the left-hand-start position because of the position of the hands.


Left-Shoulder Position, Move
This command is given from the left-hand-start position. On the command “Move, ” pull the log upward to the left shoulder in one continuous motion. At the same time, move the right foot to the rear, and stand up facing right. Balance the log on the left shoulder with both hands. This movement cannot be done from the right-hand-start position.

Waist Position, Move
From the right-hand-start position, pull the log waist high. Keep the arms straight and fingers laced under the log. The body is inclined slightly to the rear, and the chest is lifted and arched.

Chest Position, Move
This command is given after taking the waist position. On the command “Move,” shift the log to a position high on the chest, bring the left arm under the log, and hold the log in the bend of the arms. Keep the upper arms parallel to the ground.
To move the log from the right to the left shoulder, the command is “Left-shoulder position, move.” Push the log overhead, and lower it to the opposite shoulder.
To return the log to the ground from any of the above positions, the command is “Start position, move.” At the command “Move,” slowly lower the log to the ground. Position the hands and fingers so they are not under the log.