Sprint Relay

The aim of the 100 metre sprint relay is, with the assistance of four athletes, to carry a baton (30 cm long, 13 cm in circumference and no less than 50grms in weight) around 400 metres as quickly as possible.

Baton exchange

The rules of relay competition require the baton to be exchanged within a 20 metres changeover zone. So that the outgoing runner can achieve maximum acceleration at baton exchange the athlete can commence his/her run 10 metres before the changeover zone. The baton exchange should occur 5 metres before the end of the changeover zone. Because of this, each athlete has to sprint more than 100 metres:

• 1st athlete 105 metres
• 2nd and 3rd athletes 125 metres
• 4th athlete 120 metres

Check Mark

The exchange of the baton requires a matching of the speeds of the incoming and outgoing athletes so that they are together towards the end of the changeover zone. This requires the outgoing runner to commence his/her run when the incoming runner reaches a check mark. The distance of the check mark from the start of the zone needs to take into consideration the:

• running speed of the incoming runner
• reaction and acceleration capacity of the outgoing runner

The following is a general guide on the distance of the check mark from the outgoing runner's starting point:

• Men - 7 to 9 metres
• Women - 6 to 7 metres
• Children - 5 to 6 metres

Running line and baton exchange

The running position in the lane and exchange of the baton for each member of the relay team is as follows:

• first runner carries the baton in the right hand and runs on the inside of the lane
• second runner takes the baton in the left hand and runs closer to the outside of the lane
• third runner takes the baton in the right hand and runs close to the inside of the lane
• fourth runner takes the baton in the left hand

The exchange is 'non visual'. Once the outgoing athlete has seen the incoming athlete reach the checkmark he/she will start as if reacting to the starting gun in a sprint race. The incoming athlete will call 'Hand' when he/she is in a position to safely pass the baton to the outgoing athlete. The outgoing athlete puts back his/her hand, the incoming athlete places the baton into the hand and the exchange is complete. The outgoing athlete does not watch the baton into his/her hand, hence 'non visual'.

Starting Positions

1st Leg

The first athlete will use a sprint start and will have to modify the right hand position in order to securely hold the baton. The athlete has the following options of holding the baton :

Other legs

The starting position for the outgoing athlete must allow for:

• explosive start and a fast acceleration
• good observation of the approaching incoming athlete

A possible start position for each outgoing athlete is as follows:

This is the start position for the 3rd leg runner. The 2nd and 4th leg runners will stand to the outside of the lane, use the right hand to support the body and watch for the incoming athlete under the left arm.

Passing Techniques

Upsweep

The receiving hand is placed with the palm facing down and a wide angle between the thumb and the rest of the fingers. The incoming athlete passes the baton in an upward movement into the receiving hand. The advantage of this method is that this is a normal position for the receiving hand. A disadvantage is that it will require some manipulation of the baton in the hand to make the next exchange safely.

Downsweep

The receiving hand is placed with palm facing up and a wide angle between the thumb and the rest of the fingers. The incoming athlete passes the baton in a downward movement into the receiving hand. The advantage of this method is that it will require no manipulation of the baton to safely make the next baton exchange. A disadvantage is that it is not a natural position of the outgoing athlete's hand to receive the baton.

Selection of team members

The performance in the relay event primarily depends upon the perfection of the baton exchange and the sprinting ability of the team. In order to select athletes for the different relay legs it is sensible to find out their capacities for a particular section (the second and third runner cover longer distances). It also is advisable to establish each athlete's full potential for running sections on the straight and around the bend. These individuals' abilities must be taken into account in deciding the running order of a relay team, considering the following:

• First leg - priority goes to an athlete who has a good start, can run the bend and pass the baton well
• Second leg - the choice goes to an athlete who is confident in receiving and passing the baton, runs well in the straight and possesses sufficient speed endurance. The athlete should perhaps be a 200 metre specialist.
• Third leg - the selection goes to the sprinter who is confident and reliable in receiving and passing the baton, can run the bend well and possess sufficient speed endurance. The athlete should perhaps be a 200 metre specialist.
• Fourth leg - here we normally select a runner who receives the baton well, is efficient in running the straight and has a high degree of competitive spirit

Rules of Competition

The competition rules for this event can be obtained from:

• International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
• UK Athletics (UKA)

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Sprint Technique
• Sprint Photo Sequence
• Sprint Warm up Drills
• Sprint Starts
• Setting up the Starting Blocks
• Sprint Relay
• 100 metres Training
• 200 metres Training
• 300 metres Training
• 400 metres Training
• Planning the Training - 6 stages of development
• Find a Coach
• Sport/Event specific articles

• Training Books
• Training Products

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Sprints and Relays, F.W. Dick, ISBN 0 85134 082 2
• Sprinting and Hurdling, P. Warden, ISBN 1 85223 299 4
• How to Teach Track Events, M. Arnold, ISBN 0 85134 085 7
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2