PRINCIPLES OF THE DOUBLE QUICK STEP.
111. The length of the double quick step is thirty-three inches, and its swiftness at the rate of one hundred and sixty-five steps per minute.
112. The instructor wishing to teach the recruits the principles and mechanism of the double quick step, will command:
1. Double quick step. 2. MARCH.
113. At the first command the recruit will raise his hands to a level with his hips, the hands closed, the nails toward the body, the elbows to the rear.
114. At the second command, he will raise to the front his left leg bent, in order to give to the knee the greatest elevation, the part of the leg between the knee and the instep vertical, the toe depressed; he will then replace his foot in its former position; with the right leg he will execute what has just been prescribed for the left, and the alternate movement of the legs will be continued until the command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
115. At the second command, the recruit will bring the foot which is raised by the side of the other, and dropping at the same time his hands by his side, will resume the position of the soldier without arms.
116. The instructor placing himself seven or eight paces from, and facing the recruit, will indicate the cadence by the commands one and two, given alternately at the instant each foot should be brought to the ground, which at first will be in common time, but its rapidity will be gradually augmented.
117. The recruit being sufficiently established in the principles of this step, the instructor will command:
1. Squad, forward. 2. Double quick. 3. MARCH.
118. At the first command, the recruit will throw the weight of his body on the right leg. 119. At the second command he will place his arms as indicated No. 113.
120. At the third command, he will carry forward the left foot, the leg slightly bent, the knee somewhat raised – will plant his left foot, the toe first, thirty-three inches from the right, and with the right foot will then execute what has just been prescribed for the left. This alternate movement of the legs will take place by throwing the weight of the body on the foot that is planted, and by allowing a natural, oscillatory motion to the arms.
121. The double quick step may be executed with different degrees of swiftness. Under urgent circumstances the cadence of this step may be increased to one hundred and eighty per minute. At this rate a distance of four thousand yards would be passed over in about twenty-five minutes.
122. The recruits will be exercised also in running.
123. The principles are the same as for the double quick step, the only difference consisting in a greater degree of swiftness.
124. It is recommended in marching at double quick time, or the run, that the men should breathe as much as possible through the nose, keeping the mouth closed. Experience has proved that, by conforming to this principle, a man can pass over a much longer distance, and with less fatigue.