The Army Training System - AskTOP

next command is given. Anything lessthan a top-speed performance decreasesthe effectiveness of the drills.Once the drills start, soldiers do nothave to resume the position of atten-tion. The instructor uses the command“Up” to halt the drill for instructions orrest. At this command, soldiers assumea relaxed, standing position.Grass drills can be done in a shorttime. For example, they may be usedwhen only a few minutes are availablefor exercise or when combined withanother activity. Sometimes, if time islimited, they are a good substitute forrunning.Most movements are done in place.The extended-rectangular formation isbest for a platoon- or company-sizedunit. The circle formation is moresuitable for squad- or section-sizedgroups.When soldiers are starting an exerciseprogram, a 10- to 15-minuteworkout may be appropriate. Progressionis made by a gradual increase inthe time devoted to the drills. As thefitness of the soldiers improves, thetimes should be gradually lengthenedto 20 minutes. The second drill isharder than the first. Therefore, assoldiers progress in the first drill, theinstructor should introduce the second.If he sees that the drill needs to belonger, he can repeat the exercises orcombine the two drills.Soldiers should do awarm - -up beforeperforming grassdrills and do a cooldownafterward.STARTING POSITIONSAfter the warm-up, bring the soldiersto a position of ATTENTION.Progression with grass The drills begin with the commanddrills is made by a GO. Other basic commands are FRONT,gradual increase in BACK, and STOP. (See Figure 7-5 forthe time devoted to the positions and actions associatedthe drills. with these commands. )● ATTENTION: The position of attention is described in FM 22-5,Drill and Ceremonies.● GO This involves running in placeat top speed on the balls of the feet.The soldier raises his knees high,pumps his arms, and bends forwardslightly at the waist.● FRONT The soldier lies pronewith elbows bent and palms directlyunder the shoulders as in thedown position of the push up. Thelegs are straight and together withthe head toward the instructor.BACK: The soldier lies flat on hisback with his arms extended alonghis sides and his palms facing downward. His legs are straight and together; his feet face the instructor.● STOP The soldier assumes the stanceof a football lineman with feetspread and staggered. His left armis across his left thigh; his right armis straight. His knuckles are on theground; his head is up, and his backis roughly parallel to the ground.To assume the FRONT or BACKposition from the standing GO orSTOP positions, the soldier changespositions vigorously and rapidly. (SeeFigure 7-5.)To change from the FRONT to theBACK position (Figure 7-5), the soldierdoes the following:● Takes several short steps to theright or left.Lifts his arm on the side towardwhich his feet move.● Thrusts his legs vigorously to thefront.To change from the BACK to theFRONT position, the soldier sits upquickly. He places both hands on theground to the right or left of his legs.He takes several short steps to the rearon the side opposite his hands. Whenhis feet are opposite his hands, hethrusts his legs vigorously to the rearand lowers his body to the ground.(See Figure 7-5.)7-19