Speed Activities
6
The traditional method of baton exchange for a 4 x 50 metres or 4 x 100 metres relay team
is as follows:
1st Runner
-
starts and runs with baton in right hand
2nd Runner
-
takes and runs with baton in left hand
3rd Runner
-
takes and runs with baton in right hand
4th Runner
-
takes and runs with baton in left hand
This sequence is the preferred sequence for the 4 x 100 metres relay teams so that the young
athletes who will be running on the bends (1st runner and 3rd runner) are on the inside of the lane
at take-over and they can continue to run close to the inside line of the lane.
If the alternate hand exchange method is introduced to the young athletes it can become very
confusing, as problems arise when the running order is changed and they may be unaware in which
hand to receive the baton and on which side of the lane to stand. For young athletes a 50–100
metres relay leg is quite a long distance to run if the baton is not in their preferred hand. Therefore,
the method of swapping the baton from right hand to left or vice-versa whilst running is not
necessarily a bad practice.
Young athletes also like clear and precise instructions, so what is easier than saying ‘give with the left
and take with the right hand’ and ‘swap hands whilst running’? It also overcomes the problem of the
hand creeping up the baton and everyone does the same no matter which leg is run which is very
useful in linear relays. These are additional reasons for supporting the change of baton hand whilst
running. The safe exchange is far more important than gaining a few hundredths of a second, if
anything is gained at all. However, it must be reiterated that when the athletes are older, advantages
can be gained from improved take-over methods.
The take-over of the baton should be a 'blind exchange' by the outgoing runner which implies that
he or she must not look back for the baton. Correct timing is imperative and it is essential that the
outgoing runner does not outrun the incoming runner. As familiarity and timing improve, the take-
over technique can be refined.
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