Athletics (British Sports Library)

126 ATHLETICS . used in the intermediate stages depends largely upon the distance of the race. For example, at longer distances the loss of a yard or two at the start of each relay is not of vital importance, but in any case it is a matter for the coach or team captain to decide just prior to the race which style is to be used. Each man in the team must ·be taught to finish up his own relay with the correct sprinter's forward lean, as this facilitates handing over, and he must learn to come up on the right of the receiver. The receiver should watch his incoming relay, judging his pace and adjusting his position to the st ride of his team mate's approach. Obviously, the man who is arriving in an exhausted state must be waited for. When a strong finisher is approaching, the receiver can set himself going and be well on the way when he takes over, provided the exchange is made within the 20 yards zone. Generally speak– ing, an exhausted incoming relay must hand over in the first half of the zone, whereas a strong finisher allows the outgoing relay to start his sprint in the first I 0 yards and hands over to him in the space of the second 10 yards. This, however, is all a matter of timing. The ideal is .found when both runners are in the proper forward leaning position as the hand-over is affected, but this predicates that the · receiver shoots a quick glance at the passer, to