Athletics (British Sports Library)

124 ATHLETICS . his left hand to the right hand of the waiting relay. One justly famous English trainer has definitely laid it down that the first man should start with the baton in the right hand and pass it to the next man on the inside, putting the baton into the receiver's left hand. The second man, it is suggested, should carry the batbn in his left hand, come up on the next receiver's right, and place it in the waiting relay's right hand. The inference is tl;tat the alternating method of handing over will save the relays from shifting the baton from one hand to the other. This scheme is not supported by the best of the foreign or the other British coaches. Pace judgment is of the greatest importance to the relay runner. The first relay, which will start from the sprinter's crouching position (read Chapter II and study the sketches), must come out of the holes at top speed in the hope of holding or gaining the inside berth; subsequent relays start from the standing position, and it is to them that the judgment of pace is so vitally important. When a man, waiting anxiously for the incoming relay, sees other men of his own section going away from him, there is always a tendency to cut loose the moment he has received the baton, in a thrilling attempt to overtake the lead runners. If this