PaceSetter Book

Sustained Activities 7

WEB COPY ©EVEQUE Too Slow Start Coach Coach

100m

300m

Correct

Too Quick

200m

The coach may need to move into a position where he or she can get a better view of the young athletes.

7.2.1.2 Pace Run - Stage One • Place a cone at the 100 metres mark on the track

• Group the athletes in pairs of similar ability and select an appropriate ‘pace schedule’ for each pair. For example, one young athlete may have a personal best of 2 minutes 49 seconds for the 800 metres and the other may have a personal best of 2 minutes 53 seconds. It is advisable for these young athletes to work to a ‘pace schedule’ of 2 minutes 48 seconds as this is nearest an even pace schedule split below their personal best. If they are running at the right pace to achieve 2 minutes 48 seconds they must reach the 100 metres cone in 21 seconds. • Remind the athletes that it is not a race but an exercise in pace judgment and they should note where they are in relation to the first cone when the whistle is blown to check their position. • Using a run through start 10 metres back from the start line, start the stopwatch as the runners pass the start line. • When it is the turn of the first pair to run again, ensure that the young athletes have had an adequate rest period. Before each group starts its next run, advise its members whether they should increase or decrease their speed from the previous effort. This may take a complete session to master but it is very important that they become consistent in the very early stages of pace judgment training. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE • Blow the whistle after 21 seconds and note the point reached. • Each pair within the group takes its turn at its own ‘pace schedule’.

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