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Athletics: Relay-Starts Notes

This document provides information about athletics (track and field) including the history and types of events. It focuses on relay races and describes the 4x100m relay. It explains that a relay team consists of 4 sprinters who each run a leg of the race and pass a baton to the next runner in the exchange zone. It also outlines different starting techniques for sprints like the standing start, 4-point start, and block start which athletes use to get the fastest start.

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Óscar Alda Schönemann
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194 views4 pages

Athletics: Relay-Starts Notes

This document provides information about athletics (track and field) including the history and types of events. It focuses on relay races and describes the 4x100m relay. It explains that a relay team consists of 4 sprinters who each run a leg of the race and pass a baton to the next runner in the exchange zone. It also outlines different starting techniques for sprints like the standing start, 4-point start, and block start which athletes use to get the fastest start.

Uploaded by

Óscar Alda Schönemann
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IES Élaios 1st ESO - PE Department

Athletics

I. Introduction
Athletics, also called track and field in the United States, are the oldest forms of
organized sport. It is based on the most basic human activities: running, walking, jumping, and
throwing.

Athletics have become the most international of sports. Most nations send teams of men
and women to the quadrennial Olympic Games and to the official World Championships of
Athletics. There are also several continental and intercontinental championship meets, including
the European, Spanish….

Included in the broad title of athletics are as many as two dozen distinct events. These
events, generally outdoors, are held on a 400-meters oval track, and field events (jumping and
throwing) are held inside the track’s perimeter.

Events (included in the Olympic Games and World Championship programmes)


 Running events:
o Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m),
o Middle distance (800m, 1500m)
o Long distance (3000m Steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m)
o Hurdles (110m, 100m, 400m)
o Relays (4x100m, 4x400m)

 Jumping events
o Long Jump
o High Jump
o Triple Jump
o Pole Vault

 Throwing events
o Discus Throw
o Shot Put
o Javelin Throw
o Hammer Throw

 Combined events
o Heptathlon (seven events for women)
o Decathlon (ten events for men)

 Race walks
o 20km race walk
o 50km race walk

 Road running
o Marathon (42km)
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IES Élaios 1st ESO - PE Department

II. Relay race


What is a relay?
A relay race is a track and field event in which athletes run a distance carrying a baton
before passing it onto the next runner. A relay team is a team of four sprinters. In athletics there
are two standard relays:
- 4 X 100m
- 4 X 400m
How does the relay work? (4 X 100m)
The relay consists of four people. A team with four decent sprinters can out-race a team
with four better sprinters by beating the faster team in the exchange zones. The initial runner in
the 4 x 100 relay begins the race in starting blocks. The next three runners receive the baton via
exchanges.
The exchange zones are 20 meters long and are preceded by a 10-meter acceleration
zone. The receiver begins running in the acceleration zone but the baton can only be passed
within the exchange zone. In the relay, runners do not switch hands when carrying the baton.
Therefore, if the first runner holds the baton in the right hand, the second runner will receive
the baton in the left hand, the third will receive and carry the baton in the right hand and the
final runner will handle it in the left hand.

How the baton can be handed off


Upsweep Technique
The receiving hand is extended behind at hip height with the palm facing
down and a wide angle between the thumb and the rest of the fingers. The
incoming athlete hands off the baton in an upward movement to the
receiving hand (from down to up).

Downsweep Technique
The receiving hand is extended behind at hip height with
the palm facing up and a wide angle between the thumb
and the rest of the fingers. The incoming athlete hands off
the baton in a downward movement to the receiving hand
(from up to down).

The runner who runs first carrying the baton is called the incoming runner. The incoming runner
shouts “hand” or the name of the next runner, the outgoing runner, before passing them the
baton.

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IES Élaios 1st ESO - PE Department

The acceleration zone


Also known as the pre-changeover zone, it is the
10m section of the track where the athlete who
is going to receive the baton starts and increase
speed.The baton cannot be exchanged in the
acceleration zone.

The changeover zone


This is the area in which the hand off takes place. It is 20m long and the baton must be
exchanged in this zone.

https://youtu.be/uwLDpcye-VM (London 2012 Olympic Games Men´s 4x100m FINAL)

https://youtu.be/6vlDKzrf_C4 (Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women´s 4x100 m FINAL)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ2G6BoWy04 (Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Men´s 4x100m FINAL)

https://youtu.be/HYSUxgswIkk (Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women´s 4x400m FINAL)

III. Start techniques


The relatively short sprint distances (100m, 200m, 400m), require a sustained top speed.
Originally all sprinters started from a standing position, but in the 1880s the crouch start was
invented, and it became a rule that sprinters must start with both feet and both hands on the
track. The introduction of the adjustable starting block aided the quick start, critical in the
sprints. There are different starting techniques to give sprinters the most power into a sprint.
The shorter the sprint, the faster they have to reach full speed.

Full Standing Start

Athletes use the standing start for longer races.


Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart with
your more powerful leg just behind the starting line.
Distribute most of your weight on the front leg.
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IES Élaios 1st ESO - PE Department

Four Point Start

The four point start is the most common start used


in sprint races. Start in a crouch position with your front
knee over and both hands on the starting line. Place your
back knee on the ground next to your front ankle. On the
"set" extend both legs so that your hips are slightly higher
than your shoulders.

Block Start
Athletes use blocks under their feet to avoid slipping
during the first movement of the sprint.
https://youtu.be/Drdm1WsRQwA (International Athlete Jenny Pacey
talks about her Sprint Start Technique)

Three Point Start


This start is similar to the four point start
except only one arm is on the ground. Start with
your strongest, most powerful leg in front, and same
arm off the ground.
https://youtu.be/-Ihg0il6gtw (How to do a three point
start)

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