Athletes with better than average speed do not necessarily make the best relay runners. Speed is an advantage, of course, but it must be accompanied by the ability to receive and hand off the baton smoothly and efficiently. And that requires a lot of hard work, concentration, and discipline.
A sound assortment of relay drills are required to teach (1) the fundamentals, (2) the baton exchange, and (3) a sense of teamwork while avoiding the monotony of the training sessions.
As a coach, I began my drills at a very basic level and then gradually worked up to the full-speed exchanges on the track, using the actual exchange zone.
Some of the drills were used primarily in the pre-season, some in the pre-race warm-up, and others periodically as “technique refreshers.”
However, the best way to develop consistency in the hand-offs is by working out on the track, using the actual exchange zone, and running at top speed each and every time.
Drill #1: Teach the mechanics of the baton exchange with both runners in a stationary position.
Execution: Have the runners begin working in pairs: Runners 1-2, 3-4, and eventually, 2-3. Runner 1 (incoming runner) lines up behind the outgoing Runner 2’s left shoulder. Runner 3 (incoming runner) lines up behind the left shoulder of Runner 4 (outgoing runner).
When Runners 2 and 3 work together. Runner 2 (incoming) will line up behind the right shoulder of Runner 3 (outgoing).
Points of emphasis:
• Outgoing runner extends his arm fully, high, and with the palm of the hand facing up.
• Don’t look back for the baton.
• Establish a rhythm for the hand-off.
• Outgoing runner doesn’t look back for the baton. He must be confident that incoming runner will place the baton in his hand.
• Incoming runner grips lower portion of baton and concentrates on the proper placement of the baton.
• Outgoing runner grasps the upper portion of the baton.
Drill #2: Teach the mechanics of the baton exchange with both runners stationary and the incoming runner using a predetermined command.
Execution: An extension of Drill #1 with the runners’ positioning the same. Outgoing runner begins moving his arms in a normal running action. When incoming runner gives the command of “Stick!” (or any other one-syllable command), the outgoing runner must thrust his arm backwards, while the incoming runner snaps the baton into the extended hand. The baton is returned to the incoming runner and the drill is performed again.
Points of emphasis:
• Outgoing runner fully extends arm, high, with the palm facing up.
• Outgoing runner doesn’t look back for the baton. He must be confident that the incoming runner will place the baton in his hand.
• Incoming runner grips the lower portion of the baton and concentrates on the proper placement.
• Outgoing runner grasps the upper portion of the baton.
Drill #3: Teach the mechanics of the baton exchange with both runners stationary and the incoming runner using a predetermined command.
Execution: An extension of the previous drill, with positioning of the runners the same. Outgoing runner begins moving arms in a normal running action. When the incoming runner gives the command “Stick!” (any one-syllable command can be used), the outgoing runner will thrust his arm backwards and the incoming runner will snap the baton into the extended hand. The baton is then returned to the incoming runner and the drill is repeated.
Points of emphasis: Same as the previous drills including the following:
• Outgoing runner must learn to react to the command of “Stick!” and not alter his arm action while doing 50.
• Outgoing runner’s arm must remain still.
• Incoming runner’s wrist is cocked for the snap of the baton into the outgoing runner’s hand.
• Baton is angled properly for the exchange.
• Incoming runner concentrates on the extended hand of the outgoing runner.
Drill #4: Teach the mechanics of the exchange with both runners stationary and pumping their arms.
Execution: Any extension of the previous drill, with the same positioning. Both runners begin pumping their arms in a normal running action. The incoming runner gives the command of “Stick!” and the outgoing runner thrusts his arm backward. Incoming runner must now time his arm action with the outgoing runner’s arm action as the baton is exchanged.
Points of emphasis: Same as the previous drills including the following:
• Understand the importance of establishing the proper distance between runners (free running space).
• Incoming runner concentrates on full arm extension.
• Timing the exchange while both runners are moving their arms.
Drill #5: Teach the mechanics of the exchange with all four members of the relay team working together while they are stationary.
Execution: The four relay team members work together. As in Diag. 1, Runner 1 lines up behind the left shoulder of runner 2, Runner 2 lines up behind the right shoulder of 3, Runner 3 lines up behind the left shoulder of Runner 4 (Diag. 1).
After making the proper spacing adjustments, all four runners begin pumping their arms at the command of “Go!” Runner 1 shouts the command “Stick” and 2 reaches back with his left hand to receive the baton.
The process continues as 2 hands off to 3’s right hand and 3 hands off to 4’s left hand. Runner 4 passes the baton back to Runner 1 and the drill is repeated.
Points of emphasis: Same as the previous drills including the following:
• Timing the exchange with the four runners working together at the same time.
• Developing a sense of teamwork.
Drill #6: Teach the mechanics of the exchange with the four runners working together while walking.
Execution: Runners line up as they did in the previous drill. At the command of “Go!” the runners begin walking and moving their arms in a running motion. At Runner 1’s command of “Stick!” Runner 2 thrusts his left arm backward to receive the baton. The process continues as in the previous drill.
Points of emphasis: Same as the previous drills including the following:
• Maintain proper spacing white all four runners are in motion.
• Develop the timing of the hand-off while all four runners are in motion.
• Learn to make the slight adjustments to ensure a successful handoff.
Drill #7: Teach the mechanics of the exchange with the four runners working together while jogging.
Execution: Runners line up as they did in the previous drill. At the command of “Go!” the runners begin jogging. Runner 1 gives the command of “Stick!” and Runner 2 thrusts his left arm back to receive the baton. The process continues as in the previous drill.
Points of emphasis: Same as the previous drills including the following:
• Maintain proper spacing while jogging
• Develop the timing of the hand-off while moving at a faster pace.
• Learn to make the slight adjustments to ensure a successful handoff.
Drill# 8: Incoming runner attempts to catch outgoing runner within the exchange zone.
Execution: Runners work in pairs. Outgoing runner sets up at the beginning of the exchange zone while the incoming runner sets up a specified distance out of the zone (Diag. 2). Upon command, both runners begin running at the same time. Incoming runner attempts to catch outgoing runner before latter reaches the end of the exchange zone.
Points of emphasis:
• The outgoing runner utilizes correct starting technique.
• Both runners utilize maximum acceleration at the start.
• Both runners maintain maximum speed throughout the exchange zone.
• Outgoing runner does not look back after he beginning his acceleration.
Drill #9: Incoming runner attempts to catch outgoing runner within the exchange zone.
Execution: The initial setup is the same as in Drill # 8. Incoming runner begins running first.
When incoming runner reaches a predetermined check mark, outgoing runner accelerates from the start (Diag. 3). Incoming runner attempts to catch the outgoing runner before the latter reaches the end of the exchange zone.
Points of emphasis:
• The outgoing runner utilizes correct starting technique.
• Timing the outgoing runner’s takeoff, using a specified takeoff mark.
• Both runners utilize maximum acceleration at the start.
• Both runners maintain maximum speed throughout the exchange zone.
• Outgoing runner does not look back after beginning his acceleration.
Drill # 10: Full speed exchanges using the actual exchange zone.
Execution: This is the primary and most used sprint relay drill.
As with previous drills. Runner 1 will work with Runner 2, 3 with 4, and (later) 2 with 3. The runners are now using the actual exchange zone they will use in competition.
Incoming runner sets up approximately 30 meters down the track. Outgoing runner sets up in the exchange zone and establishes a pre-determined takeoff mark.
Incoming runner takes off first at full speed. When he reaches the predetermined check mark, the outgoing runner will accelerate at full speed. Utilizing the previously discussed mechanics, the exchange is completed within the exchange zone.
Points of emphasis:
• Concentration! Concentration! Concentration!
• Discipline! Discipline! Discipline!
• Utilize all basic relay mechanics stressed in the previous drills.
• Outgoing runner establishes his takeoff mark through trial and error.
• Learn to make the special adjustments that are vital to assure a successful exchange.
• Outgoing runner must be confident he will not run away from incoming runner.
• Drill must be executed at full speed to ensure proper timing.
Drill #11: Runners are added to adjoining lanes to simulate meet conditions.
Execution: As the two relay runners execute their exchange, extra runners are running in the remaining lanes. Their job is to periodically call out commands to distract the relay runners.
Points of emphasis:
• Concentration! Concentration! Concentration!
• Discipline! Discipline! Discipline!
• Prepares the team for actual competition.
• Outgoing runner must be disciplined and must focus on his mark only.
Drill #12: Runners carry a baton during a workout.
Execution: During selected conditioning workouts, every relay runner should run the workout while carrying a baton in primarily the same hand he will use in the relay, We encourage the runners to switch hands periodically to be comfortable carrying the baton in either hand.
Remember, whenever the order is changed, it may require the runner to carry the baton in his other hand.
Point of emphasis:
• To train the runner to be completely comfortable carrying the baton with either hand.
CONCLUSION
It may seem logical to use the entire track in practicing relay exchanges, but it is not practical. An athlete cannot be expected to run race after race around the track and then make perfect handoffs. Drill work is critical for better liming and fundamentals.
The coach must use good judgment in adapting the drills to the skill level of his team. Some drills may be too elementary for a veteran team. But one thing is certain: Regardless of which drills are used in practice, the athletes must maintain their concentration and discipline to improve their skills.
When all is said and done, the best way to develop consistency in the handoffs is by working on them on the track, using the actual exchange zone, and running full speed every time (Drill #10).
PHOTO (COLOR): DIA. 1
PHOTO (COLOR): DIA. 2
PHOTO (COLOR): DIA. 3
By Dennis Best, Retired Track and Field Coach Coal City (IL) H.S.