4 x 100m relay?

Question

My relay team needs some help. On our relay team, we have 2 long distance and 2 sprinters. This is how our team runs:

Start; sprinter, 2nd fastest

2nd; long distance, 4th fastest

3rd; long distance, 3rd fastest

Anchor; sprinter, fastest

We changed it, because originally, it was 2nd fastest, third, fourth, then first, but the fourth person can't "catch" the anchor. I'm the anchor, and on Friday, we switched the 2nd and 3rd runner around, but that didn't work well. The third fastest person can't catch me.

We were thinking about me starting, and the second fastest would be the anchor, but I've always ran 100m straight, and I tried running it around the corner, but it didn't work.

The 3rd fastest who "chases" me, says she yells my name (to signal me to start running) when she's /right/ behind me. She could catch me last year, but last year, I had the worst starts. This year I worked on them, so I'm off when she says my name.

Any tips? Our meet is on June 3.

Answer 1

I've ran 4 x 100 relay many times before and on my team I've always been the starter and the first runner...! Having done this before I hope I can help you out!

Since you said that you've worked on your starts and now you can be very quick in accelarating, I think your team can try putting the fastest runner being you at the start position so that you guys get a good quick start by you and that way your 3rd runner can catch your last runner since she will be a bit slower than you when catching the anchor. It all depends on your 2nd fastest runner that will be replacing you... Can she be depended on to finish the race and does she have the killer instinct to catch up with other teams if you guys are behind!? If yes then you can try switching with the 1st runner and starting the race and she can catch the anchor without having any problems with the 3rd runner... However in our team we were ganna do the same thing but the problem was that our last runner who was the fastest could not pass on the anchor and could catch only... That's why I had to start the race anyway. IF you now have good starts, your 2nd fastest runner could finish the race and catch the anchor, and you're comfortable passing it... Then your team can do what I said and switch you to the starting position.

However if there is a problem... I suggest you guys keep the running order that you have and you and the 3rd runner could make adjustments on your next practice. Ask her to call your name when she gets closer to you so within 2 seconds of running you can catch the anchor and she won't have trouble passing it to you. Close the gap between you and her and make sure that she's within 5-7 meters of you when you start running and catch the anchor within the first 10 metres of the exchange zone. This way you not only make the exchange safe but you also cover more distance than your 3rd runner and so your team will end up with a better time. I suggest you guys make adjustments instead of switching running orders since you only have one more practice and it would be hard to try new things...

GOOD Luck...!

Answer 2

The idea is to get the baton around the track, which is why the team with the 4 fastest runners does not always win.

As you know some people can not give or take a baton which limits their ability as to their position in the relay.

What you might consider is how do each of you run relative to the straight and the curve.

Some people can not run a curve and some can run the curve as fast as they can on the straight.

Some people can not come out of the blocks, and if given a running start are as fast or faster than the fastest sprinter who can come out of the blocks.

Some people can not handle the baton in their off hand, that is if they are right handed they can not take or give the baton with their left hand.

If you have a runner who is much slower then you can manage to have that runner's leg be only 90 meters instead of 100 meters, by adjusting the position within the zone, that is they take it late and give it early.

You should never have a verbal "go" signal.

It is up to the out going runner to place a mark on the track so they can start when the in coming runner gets to that mark.

It is also best not to have a verbal command to take the baton, if there are several other teams near it will be confusing when everyone is shouting "stick."

So, this is confusing, think about the team's abilities as to running the straight or curve, coming out of the blocks, or getting a running start, if they can use either hand, and if a runner should be getting a longer or shorter leg.

Remember that you still add all of the times together, the most important thing is to get the stick around the track, without dropping it.

If the hand offs are smooth and the out going runner is at top speed when the exchange is made your times are going to be much better than if you have to slow down to execute.

Answer 3

Yo! I run the 4x100m relay and i am the anchor. for our relay second fastest goes 1st then 4th fastest runs second third fastest goes 3rd and the fastest goes last.  With this our relay is unbeatable.  I prefer doing the straight a ways i am not very good at the curves.

Answer 4

hmmm, the best way to get through this would be communication. But try this, if you coach doesn't mind that is. since you said you like running on the straight...it sounds like the only person that can catch you is the 2nd. and you like running on the straight. This could be a large problem for any relay team. Go 2nd fastest (she is already used to running the turn and fast enough to catch you) than you (straight away) than the 4th(you will have call her to start really early so she can get out and you won't get caught up) than the 3rd (has run a straighaway in the past) This may sound silly cause you don't have a power house at the end to finish BUT you have stacked the front end. You and the 2nd fastest will have to bust your butts to get a nice lead and if you do no one will be able to catch you. I wish you lots of luck but don't forget to have fun.