RELAY

RELAY
 Relay is a track and field sport
that consists of a set number
of stages in which four
members of a team take
turns in running down the
track. The runner finishing
one leg is required to pass
on the next runner with a
stick- like object known as a
“Baton”.
 (Note – The runner must pass
on the Baton to the next
runner within a 20 –meter
exchange Box that is placed
10 meter before and 10
mete after the stat of each
leg.
 HISTORY OF RELAY
 The concept of relays was originated in Ancient
Greece where a message stick was delivered
via a series of couriers. The first modern relay
races were organized by the New York fire
service in the 1880s as the charity races in
which red pennants were passed on instead
of a baton over every 300 yards. The first
Olympic relay took place in 1908 that was
divided into two legs of 200 m followed by one
of 400 m and the other of 800 m.


The last runner in a relay is called the anchor” 

EVENTS
The standard relay events are 4 x 100m
and 4 x 400m relays.
EQUIPMENT

Relays – Shoes
Athletes use a pair of shoes
(usually made from nylon)
that have a maximum of 11
cleats which are not more
than 9 mm long offering
maximum traction.
Relays – Baton
A baton is a lightweight,
hollow aluminum tube used
in relay races. It is a smooth
tube having a length of
30cm, diameter of 4 cm and
weighing around 50 gram.

(Note: It is the baton whose

time around the track is
measured and not the time
of the athlete.)
Relays – Clothing
Athletes wear a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved or
sleeveless T-shirt or a top indicating the athlete
number.
Techniques
Baton passing technique
1) American Grip
When the runners are almost side on side such that the Baton in a
downward motion. This grip is popular in the 4 x 100m events.
2) French Grip

In this method, the passer places the Baton in the open hand of the
receiver and used mainly in the 4 x 100m events. This method
reduces the distance covered by the Baton but only if the two runners
are perfectly coordinated.
In 4 x 100m events, the second runner starts to run (without looking
backwards) with his/her arm stretched straight backwards when the
passer reaches a certain point of the track and gives him/her an
auditory signal such as “stick!” to tell the receiver to hold the baton. It
is called a “blind handoff.” In 4 x 400m events, unlike the sprint relays,
the runners look back and grasp the baton from the passer. The visual
contact is allowed due to the fatigue of the incoming runner which may
affect his/her speed and makes the pass too risky.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The rules and regulations for relay races are governed by the International
Association of Athletics Federation (“IAAF “) are mentioned below:

1) As the athletes get ready to start the competition they need to make
sure that they have not taken any supplements to increase the speed
and stamina. But, if they are found guilty they are disqualified under the
grounds of unfair mean practices.
2) The athletes cannot touch the starting line or the other side of the
starting side line before the ‘set’ command or before the pistol fires.
3) Sensors are placed in the starting pistol and at the starting blocks. In
case of a false start the athlete is disqualified.
4) The team may be disqualified from a relay for losing the baton /
dropping the baton.
5) If the baton pass is improper that is the baton is not passed in
the exchange box then this shall lead to disqualification.
6) If an athlete starts a false start for the first time then a warning is
given but if the athlete repeats this is then disqualified.
7) The athlete may get disqualified if improper overtaking takes
place.
8) The athlete may get disqualified if they prevent another competitor
from passing over.
RULES
1. The standard distances shall be: 4x100m, 4x200m, 100m-200m300m-400m
Medley Relay (Medley Relay), 4x400m, 4x800m, 4x1500m.
2.Lines 5cm wide shall be drawn across the track to mark the distances of the legs
and to denote the scratch line.

3. Each takeover zone shall be 20m long of which the scratch line is the Centre. The
zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the
running direction

4. Check Marks: When all or the first portion of a Relay Race is being run in lanes, an
athlete may place one check-mark on the track within his own lane, by using adhesive tape,
maximum 5cmx40cm, of a distinctive colour which cannot be confused with other permanent
markings. No other check-mark may be used.
5. The relay baton shall be a smooth hollow tube, circular in section, made of wood,
metal or any other rigid material in one piece, the length of which shall be 280 to
300mm. The outside diameter shall be 40mm (±2mm) and it shall not weigh less than
50g. It should be coloured so as to be easily visible during the race.

6. The baton shall be carried by hand throughout the race. Athletes are not permitted
to wear gloves or to place material (other than those permitted by Rule 144.2(f)) or
substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton. If dropped, it
shall be recovered by the athlete who dropped it. He may leave his lane to retrieve the
baton provided that, by doing so, he does not lessen the distance to be covered. In
addition, where the baton is dropped in such a way that it moves sideways or forward
in the direction of running (including beyond the finish line), the athlete who dropped it,
after retrieving it, must return at least to the point where it was last in his hand, before
continuing in the race. Provided these procedures are adopted where applicable and
no other athlete is impeded, dropping the baton shall not result in disqualification. If an
athlete does not follow this Rule, his team shall be disqualified.
 7. The baton shall be passed within the takeover zone. The passing of the baton
commences when it is first touched by the receiving athlete and is completed the
moment it is in the hand of only the receiving athlete. In relation to the takeover zone, it
is only the position of the baton which is decisive. Passing of the baton outside the
takeover zone shall result in disqualification.
8. Athletes, before receiving and/or after handing over the baton, Should keep in their
lanes or maintain position until the course is clear to avoid obstruction to other
athletes. Rules 163.3 and 163.4 shall not apply to these athletes. If an athlete willfully
impedes a member of another team by running out of position or lane at the finish of
his leg, his team shall be disqualified.
9. Assistance by pushing or by any other method shall result in disqualification.
10. Each member of a relay team may run one leg only. Any four Athletes from among those
entered for the competition, whether for that or any other event, may be used in the
composition of the relay team for any round. However, once a relay team has started in a
competition, only two additional athletes may be used as substitutes in the composition of the
team. If a team does not follow this Rule, it shall be disqualified.
11. The composition of a team and the order of running for a relay. Shall be officially declared no later
than one hour before the published first call time for the first heat of each round of the competition.
Further alterations must be verified by a medical officer appointed by the Organizing Committee and
may be made only until the final call time for the particular heat in which the team is competing. If a team
does not follow this Rule, it shall be disqualified.
12 .The 4x100m race shall be run entirely in lanes.

13. The 4x200m race may be run in any of the following ways:(a) where possible,
entirely in lanes (four bends in lanes),(b) in lanes for the first two legs, as well as that
part of the third leg up to the nearer edge of the break line described in Rule
163.5,where athletes may leave their respective lanes (three bends in lanes) (c) in lanes
for the first leg up to the nearer edge of the break line described in Rule.

14. The Medley Relay race shall be run in lanes for the first two legs, As well as that part of
the third leg up to the nearer edge of the break line described in Rule 163.5, where athletes
may leave their respective lanes (two bends in lanes)

15. The 4x400m race may be run in either of the following ways:(a) in lanes for the first
leg, as well as that part of the second leg up to the nearer edge of the break line
described in Rule 163.5, where athletes may leave their respective lanes (three bends in
lanes),(b) in lanes for the first leg up to the nearer edge of the breadline described in Rule
163.5, where athletes may leave their respective lanes (one bend in lanes).
Note: Where not more than four teams are competing, it is recommended that option (b)
should be used
 16. The 4x800m race may be run in either of the following ways:(a) in lanes for the first leg up to
the nearer edge of the break line described in Rule 163.5, where athletes may leave their
respective lanes (one bend in lanes),(b) without the use of lanes.
17. The 4x1500m race shall be run without the use of lanes.
18. In the 4x100m and 4x200m races, athletes other than the first, and in the Medley Relay, the
second and third athletes, may commence running not more than 10m outside the takeover zone
(see Rule 170.3). A distinctive mark shall be made in each lane to denote this extended limit. If an
athlete does not follow this Rule, his team shall be disqualified.
19. For the final takeover in the Medley Relay and in the 4x400m,4x800m and 4x1500m races, athletes
are not permitted to begin running outside their takeover zones, and shall start within this zone. If an
athlete does not follow this Rule, his team shall be disqualified
20. In the Medley Relay, the athletes running the final leg and in the 4x400m race, the athletes
running the third and fourth legs shall, under the direction of a designated official, place
themselves in their waiting position in the same order (inside to out) as the order of their respective
team members as they enter the last bend. Once the incoming athletes have passed this point, the
waiting athletes shall
maintain their order, and shall not exchange positions at the beginning of the takeover zone. If an
athlete does not follow this Rule, his team shall be disqualified.

Note: In the 4x200m race (if this event is not run entirely in lanes) the
athletes in the fourth leg shall line up in the order of the start list
(inside to out).
21.In any race, when lanes are not being used, including when applicable, in 4x200m, the
Medley Relay and 4x400m, waiting athletes can take an inner position on the track as
incoming team members approach, provided they do not jostle or obstruct another athlete so
as to impede his progress. In 4x200m, the Medley Relay and 4x400m, waiting athletes shall
maintain the order in accordance with Rule 170.20. If an athlete does not follow this Rule, his
team shall be disqualified.