The outdoor track and field season is here and that means preparing to run the 4x100 meter relay. This weekend, in particular, is a huge one for the relays, as national-level meets like the Texas Relays and Florida Relays are on the calendar. A winning effort comes not only by having fast athletes but also by being proficient at getting the stick around.
There is no standard way to hand off the baton. Teams historically have used different methods which have garnered success. There are push passes, underhand passes, or overhand. Some teams use different arm and hand positions. Most teams use verbal commands, some don't. What matters most, however, is that all team members accept the strategy implemented by the coach, cooperate together, and execute their game plan with precision.
Despite the variety in preferences for handoffs, there are still some common fundamentals which all 4x100m relay teams should adhere to:
The 1st and 3rd legs of the relay should carry the stick in the right hand ...
