APFT Log Drill Exercises

Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training

START POSITIONS

The soldiers fall in facing their log, with toes about four inches away. Figure 8-16 shows the basic starting positions and commands.

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. (See 1, Figure 8-16.)

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. (See 2, Figure 8-16.)

Right-Shoulder Position, Move This command is given from the right-hand-start position. On the command “Move,” pull the log upward 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. (See 3, Figure 8-16.) This movement cannot be done from the left-hand-start position because of the position of the hands.

Figure 8-1

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. (See 4, Figure 8-17.) 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. (See 5, Figure 8-17.)

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. (See 6, figure 8-17.) 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.

Figure 8-17

LOG-DRILL EXERCISES

The following are log-drill exercises.

Exercise 1. Two-Arm Push-Up Start Position: Right- or left shoulder position, with feet about shoulder-width apart. (See 1, Figure 8-18.) Cadence: Moderate. Movement: A four-count exercise; at the count of — “One”-Push the log overhead until the elbows lock. “Two”-Lower the log to the opposite shoulder. “Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position.

Exercise 2. Forward Bender Start Position: Chest position, with feet about shoulder-width apart. (See 2, Figure 8-18.) Cadence: Moderate. Movement A four-count exercise; at the count of — “One”-Bend forward at the waist while keeping the back straight and the knees slightly bent. “Two”-Recover to the start position. ‘Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position.

Figure 8-18

Exercise 3. Straddle Jump Start Position Right- or left-shoulder position, with feet together, and fingers locked on top of the log. Pull the log down with both hands to keep it from bouncing on the shoulder. (See 3, Figure 8-19.) Cadence: Moderate. Movement A four-count exercise; at the count of– “One”-Jump to a side straddle. “Two”-Recover to the start position. ‘Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position.

Exercise 4. Side Bender Start Position: Right-shoulder position with the feet about shoulder- width apart. (See 4, Figure 8- 19.) Cadence Moderate. Movement: A four-count exercise; at the count of– “One”-Bend sideward to the left as far as possible, bending the left knee. “Two”-Recover to the start position. “Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position. NOTE: After doing the required number of repetitions, change shoulders and do an equal number to the right side.

Figure 8-19

Exercise 5. Half-Knee Bend Start Position: Right- or left shoulder position, with feet about shoulder-width apart, and fingers locked on top of the log. (See 5, Figure 8-20.) Cadence: Slow. Movement: A four-count exercise; at the count of — “One”-Flex the knees to a halfknee bend. “Two”-Recover to the start position. “Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position. (NOTE: Pull forward and downward on the log throughout the exercise.)

Exercise 6. Overhead Toss (NOTE: Introduce this exercise only after soldiers have gained experience and strength by doing the other exercises for several sessions.) Start Position: Right-shoulder position with the feet about shoulder- width part. The knees are at a quarter bend. (See 6, Figure 8-20.) Cadence: Moderate. Movement: A four-count exercise; at the count of — “One”-Straighten the knees and toss the log about 12 inches overhead. Catch the log with both hands, and lower it toward the opposite shoulder. As the log is caught, lower the body into a quarter bend. “Two”-Again, toss the log into the air and, when caught, return it to the original shoulder. “Three”-Repeat the action of count one. “Four”-Recover to the start position.

Figure 8-20