Coaching and Care of Athletes

RELAY RACING first line marking the passing zone. For a strong finisher allow a 7 yds. margin, for a medium finisher 6i- yds., and for a weak finisher 6 yds. As soon as the incoming runner, whom the outgoing runner has been watching, reaches the point 6 to 7 yds. short of the line the man who is to take over the baton turns to his front and starts running. He will thus be travelling at nearly full speed when the baton change is effected 15 yds. beyond the first line and 5 yds. short of the second line which delimits the area for taking over the baton. The baton is taken over by the receiver grasping the forward half in his right hand. Therefore ·when the incoming runner makes the transfer his left hand must close on the back, or lower, half of the baton. There are three methods whereby the baton may be passed on the downward syving of the incoming runner's left arm, and two methods by which the transfer to the outgoing runner is made on the upward swing of the incoming runner's left arm. Again, there are three methods which call for the receiver to have his right arm stretched well behind him, so that the trunk is turned to the right when the receiver starts running. There are also two hand-at-the– side styles, which permit the runner to get into his stride with his body square to the direction in which he is running. These last two positions are advantageous to sprint relay runners. One hand-at-the-side style calls for the transfer of the baton on the upward swing of the incoming runner's left arm, the other for the exchange to take place on the downward swing of his arm. I prefer the last-named method, because it contains less risk of the baton's being dropped. I shall describe this method first. All that is nece~sary to assume the position is for the athlete, standing normally, to cup his right hand, with the palm up, elbow out, finger-tips touching the top of his shorts, and thumb to the front. As the baton descends into his palm he has only to close his hand to secure a firm grip, and need not break the rhythm of his running action. In the alternative chest-to-the-front position the right hand is at hip-level also, but the thumb is against the hip, the palm to the rear, and the elbow turned out. As the baton rises into the fork of the thumb and forefinger the hand is closed. There is again no interruption of the running action, but far more chance of drop– ping the baton.