Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-08
PASSING THE BATON
AND PROPER TURNING
KEY TO RELAY RACING
Crouch Is Effective in the
Speedy Get : away. for
Runners - Relay M e n
Should Train in Squads.
Details of Team Work.
ARTICLE IX.

ARTICLE IN.
AS in every other athletic event. there
is n right and a wrong way to run relay
races. To run relays properly the ath-
letes must act for themselves. BY that
is meant he must cut out his own pace,
know the speed of his opponents and
when the stretch comes in sight get up
on his toes for a final burst to the tape
The relay race is much the same at all
distances. If it is a sprint event. the
touch-off is the all-lmportant thing, next
to physical condition.
The right way to touch off in relay
is accomplished only after good bit OF
practice. and athletic coaches pay much
more attention to this phase of the work
than any other. The runners may be In
the pink of condition for this event, ana
yet, II they do not touch off properly ana
within the fair zone. all their preparation
Is for naught. disqualification has proved
disastrous to wonderful relay teams. TOO
much attention, therefore. cannot ne
given this most important feature.
The first relayist may use the standing
start or he may crouch on MS mark'
There Is no set rule. The crouch VIII De
found more effective for quick getaway
Then the judgment of the runner Wlll
have to be relied upon to enable him TO
finish the distance properly. The runner
who Is finishing should carry the baton
in his left hand and should pass the STICK
to his relief man with that hand EXTENDED,
The relief man should reach well back o.
his mark for the baton, with his r.ght
arm extended and with a roll-like motiOn
at tkc hips get under way for the second
relay.
The runner who Is finishing his distance.
after having passed the baton with his
left hand to the succeeding runner who
takes it with his right, moves rapidly OIL
the track at right angles TO the pole.
Never finish your "take-up' run on inc
track, but get away toward the rim (fur-
thest from the pole) the instant your man
gets the stick. The man who Is getting
away must not permit his finishing re-
layist to overrun him. This is lost time,
as one can readily see. The relief man
and the man who is finishing his distance
should be able so we'll to gauge the dis
tance between them that the baton ts
passed at full arms length. This saves
considerable time if handled right. Ry
constant practice one will be able so well
10 Judge the finish of his mate that not,
an instant will be lost.
A valuable help to the man who is fin
fishing the relay Is to have MS teaInmate
stand squarely across the track facing
the runnersJ so that the emblem of the
college, school or club will be readily
seen by the advancing athlete. This will
prevent any confusion In his mind When
a man is tiring rapidly at the finish OF
a hard relay he is much encouraged to
see his jerseyed friend clearly in sight,
When your man is about 20 yards from
you turn to the proper position for re-
eeiying the baton, with your right arm eN-
tended and your back to the pole, and get
away as fast as possible.
Running a relay requires the same
amount of care in training as specially
work. The mere fact that you have three
star athletes for the other part Of the
relay should not lessen your interest IN
the least. You make 1t a point 10 run
faster than you have ever done and feel
that you did your part. Training for the
relay should be done in squads. The best
results are obtained when each man
knows exactly what his fellows can do.
This confidence is half of the battle.
Getting away with the gun Is neces-
sary in a big field of starters Once
clear of the jam on the first curve, settle
down 10 your customary race stride
After you have nearly covered your dis
tance don't forget the final burst 10 the
tape. This should be accomplished at the
expense of every nerve and muscle, Tor
YOUR work for the day is virtually
ended. So "hit 1t up" TO the hnish.
bit of punishment won't hurt you the least
in the last sprint to the tape II you are
properly conditioned, and it may be the
means OF winning the race for your team