Athletics (British Sports Library)

RELAY RACING 129 It is worth remembering that the receiver who gets away fast is actually at that second competing against an exhausted finisher of another team, and that a quick pick-up by the receiver will gain his team many additional yards' start at the com– mencement of the particular section of the race. In training, short bursts in which the runners exchange the baton time and again are all im– p01·tant. They should also be practised just before the competition. The instructor, or team captain, should, as far as possible, run his men to schedule in trials, and, indeed, accustom them at all times to judge their own pace and the finishing pace of the incoming relay. Another thing that the- team must be taught is how to " jump " their opponents. Each man should strive during the race to work himself into a strategic position and then go past his opponent at the top of his speed. A short burst of this sort should occupy about 10 yards, and may subsequently save the runner a gruelling fight for the lead sustained over 50 yards at a slower pace. There is only one time when it pays to abandon schedule running-that is, when the instructor, or captain, is not absolutely certain that the team can go the distance. In such a case it is best te advise each man to make the most of his running from start to finish, in the hope that the fastest man, who has been kept for the final relay, will get such a lead 9