How hard is it to pass a baton?

Question

No not by eating it first!

Mind you that might be quicker

Answer 1

Not hard at all ran for my H.S. four years. Practice makes perfect

Answer 2

I run the anchor leg in my 4x100m relays, and it is a bit difficult to nail the exchange at first, but after a while, it becomes routine. I have to keep my arm steady and hand open while accelerating so the guy behind me can safely give it to me. Communication is definitely necessary.

Answer 3

Could be hard. I watched the Olympics and I saw the United State team drop the baton. Even the Great Britain team too! sigh*

Answer 4

Ha, i never really thought about that, but now that i did, i'd say it is kind of difficult. The concept is simple, but actually doing it and doing it quickly isn't as easy. Plus, it's not all about you. Three other people will have to pass and/or recieve the baton without dropping it.

Example: The U.S relay teams in the olympics ( which i just read about in the newspaper about five minutes ago)  But i still love them *sigh*

Answer 5

Well in the 4x100m there are three types of changes:

- up pass (not recommended as the receiver has no support)

- downward pass (Most common in high school competition due to the support of the receiver's palm)

- push pass (Introduced because of the bulk of sprinters and the incoming runner being able to continue his/her natural running form)

There are numerous issues that can be faced:

- Speed of incoming runner

- Speed of outgoing runner

- Outgoing runner being impatient and moving their hand (A huge 'No' to this one)

- Incoming runner not calling at appropriate time for outgoing runner to put out arm

- height of outgoing runner's arm/hand (Should be high so incoming runner can run as normal as possible and not 'reach')

- nerves & trust

In theory - not hard.  In practice - quite difficult (especially at the speeds Olympic athletes are running and the size of them these days - the lanes just don't seem to be able to fit two people in one lane anymore).

Answer 6

if ur receiving it look forward i make the mistake of looking back every time don't make that mistake when you see your man near you have a light jog and then when you get to the yellow box if he isn't near u put the breaks on and when u feel the baton get it and sprint like a ***** and if you are giving it shout to your guy to jog and thendon'tt hit the baton to hard into his hands so it will drop out and don't do the want it cant have it thing like what happened with the americans in the 4X100 (unlucky) just put it in and when you see him clench the baton let go that's what i do and i usually get 1st or 2nd out of the change overs

Answer 7

In the 4x100, it requires a lot of practice and communication to be done correctly. In the 4x400, not so much because the pass will be significantly slower.

Answer 8

When I was younger I raced in the Relay. Just make sure that the person your handing the baton to has the palm of his hand facing up. This is so the baton is securely in his hand, once you know that your team mate has the baton grasped you can let go. That's what I was told anyway.