A Track and Field coach has a lot of tough decisions to make when it comes time to setting up his relays at a big meet. Here are some of the things to consider when setting up your relay teams.
Sometimes the fastest runners on your teams are not your best relay members. The distance of the race itself may decide on who runs what legs of the relay if at all. For example, you wouldn’t have a sprinter running in a 4 by 800 meter relay. You have to know what events your runners specialize in. There are four types of relays at a Track Meet. They are the sprint relays, the intermediate relays, and the distance relays.
The sprint relays would be like the 4 by 100 or 4 by 200 meter relay. The intermediate would be 4 by 400 relay. The distance relay would be 4 by 800 relay or 4 by 1600 relay. There are some relays that combine a bit of all of these. Relays like the sprint medley combines a bit of everything. There is even a distance relay. This is usually involving a 400,800, and 1600 meter runners.
Regardless of the relay, you still have to place the right runners in the position that they will succeed at. As a Track coach, I use to make a list out of all the individuals that I had in each distance. According to previous results or time trials, I would then rank my athletes in order from fastest to slowest. I would also know who could cover others relays if they had to. For example, if I had a 200 meter runner who could run say an 800, I had them listed at both.
I would then take my lists and set up my relays. Now let me say you don’t stop there. There are many other factors to consider. Here are some of them. How much time is there in between events for the athlete? How many events has that athlete done that day? This takes into account prelims’. Who are my best starters? Who are my best finishers? Who handles the baton on the exchanges the best? Who gets along with his team mates the best? Who is hurting a bit? These are all factors that you need to consider.
Once you have considered all these, then you are ready to set up your relay teams. Usually you should have your best starter go first. This doesn’t necessarily have to be your fastest runner but your best starter. Many coaches just go with their fastest runner at this distance because they like to have the lead going into the second leg of the race.
Your number two and three runners should be your best at handling the baton. They not only have to receive it, they have to hand it off, too. Many races or won or lost in this exchange. They should also probably be athletes that are good friends. Good friends look out for each other and think ahead. This can be critical in relay racing. Sometimes a coach will run his fastest athlete in the number three spot. They do this to either close the gap or extend a lead to help the fourth runner.
The fourth runner should be the strongest willed runner you have. They are the one that gets the glory at the finish line. They need to be fast, smart and strong willed. They are the type of individual that will fight to not let their team mates down.
Lastly, it doesn’t matter what relay race your athletes are in. They must all practice hand offs of the baton. Sometimes you can mix them up on practice but, it is best to have them practice in the order that they run. Regardless of how they do in the race, always give lots of praise for their effort. Remind them that they are team and share their failures and successes.
