yes there can be a huge difference, but it depends on the skill of the runners....usually for relays i'm on, we go in the order of 2nd fastest-4th fastest -3rd fastest-and 1st fastest....if it is a longer race, such as the 4x800 or 4x400 it is important to get someone who is "smart" at cutting in go the leg where you cut in...also, some people can be great runners but dont run their best under the pressure of being anchor so they dont go last...usually it is best to have the fastest go last because they can catch up.....this however makes a bigger difference the longer the race gets......my track team last year had two amazing distance runners...so if they would run the 4x800 they would be able to catch the person...also if they had a huge lead, they would not run their hardest to save themselves for later races (basically run for first place, not best time) on the 4x100 some people that the 2nd leg is the "longest" so they put their fastest runner there, but it all depends on how you look at it...also sometimes relays are orginized based on who has the best hand-offs...if someone is not good at handoffs they may go first or last so they only have one
2007-11-12 10:34:08
·
answer #1
·
answered by Rosie 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
It really depends more on the type of runners than their speed. Some people run really well from behind, and others get discouraged if they get the baton way behind. Same with frontrunning. Some runners if given a big lead will almost always blow it just because they don't have anyone to catch.
Ideally the fastest runner will be able to run with a big lead, a lose race, or catch up, and should run last. (But if the fastest guy gets lazy with a lead, he should probably run first.)
The 4x100m team also has to consider who is the best out of blocks, and how well each member can exchange the baton. These don't matter much for longer relays though.
My high school 4x800 used to experiment with order a lot. Sometimes we would run 3rd fastest, 4th fastest, fastest, 2nd fastest. That way the slower 2 runners were more likely to have a pack of other teams to help pull them along, then the last two could pull ahead. A lot of teams put their slowest runners on 3rd leg, so our fastest would open up a really big lead which would demoralize most teams last legs.
So yeah, order makes a difference, but there is no set rule on how it should go. Your toughest competitor should probably be last though, even if he is not the fastest.
2007-11-13 09:34:47
·
answer #2
·
answered by coolrockboy380 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Tactically there are different ways create a line-up in a relay. Coaches will often place the fastest runner as the anchor or closer. Typically your second fastest runner will lead off the race. Your fastest runner will tap into reserves or hit a gear they normally wouldn't if they are trailing during the last leg. That same runner, leading off a relay, may only run fast enough to maintain a lead, but will run the leg slower than they are capable of. Your fastest runner will also benefit from a running start rather than a dead start like the lead off runner.
2007-11-12 18:20:01
·
answer #3
·
answered by Ryan F 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
It is the most important in the shorter relays like the 4*100.
There, starting out of the blocks and running the curves are two things that really can vary between runners. So coaches should look to see who performs relatively better on those aspects in setting their order.
I know several coaches who will try to keep the 4*200 order similar to the 4*100 as usually 3 or 4 people are on both teams. This lets people focus on getting good handoffs with fewer people. Hopefully that results to better exchanges in both relays.
4*400 and 4*800 usually have open handoffs, so exchanges aren't as important. There, a lot of times you have to look at the type of runners you have and match them up to the appropriate leg. I was on a 4*800 team with 3 other guys and we all were within a sec or two of each other. However, when we juggled our lineup, we somehow lost about 10 secs. It was just a matter of one guy needing to run first so he had the pack, me running last because i was the hardest to pass, and one guy getting the less stressed place of 2.
Good luck.
2007-11-13 15:03:42
·
answer #4
·
answered by blah 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
it makes a big difference what you really want is to grab the two fastest people in your relay, but the slower of the fastest in the front to set a lead and make the fastest the last to catch up than the two slowere people make them 2 or 3
2007-11-12 18:24:42
·
answer #5
·
answered by kyle 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
I think it has more of a psychological impact on the runners, both on your own team and the opposition.
It also depends on the temperaments of the individual runners. Does your fastest person work best when getting out to an early lead, or do they really respond to coming in at the end to save the day.
2007-11-12 18:13:02
·
answer #6
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
Yeah but you have to know the other teams runners speeds to get the best results like this.
Other Team
1st- Fastest
2nd- Faster
3rd- Fast
4th- Slow
That means they are trying to get the head start so if you do this
Your Team
1st-Fast
2nd-Faster
3rd-Slow
4th-Fastest
You would kick but in the last stretch because they are using the slowest and you are the fastest. Really it can get you 1st place.
2007-11-12 19:53:43
·
answer #7
·
answered by ~Paynt~ 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
yes... u have the person with the quickest reflects start b/c they can get a good start, it doesnt really matter for the second or third, and you have the fastest or person who can run the last leg with ease. on my hershey team, the fastest runner led off because she had a great start, then our second leg was a good straightaway runner, and our third leg was a good corner runner, and the last leg was the best straightaway runner.
2007-11-12 18:16:11
·
answer #8
·
answered by saltlife33 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Yes! it definately matters. The fastest person should go last. But you need a quick person to go first as well.
2007-11-15 17:52:29
·
answer #9
·
answered by Pre Lives 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
No and Yes. The combined time of everyone will be the same regardless of order. On a psychological level, however, starting with a fast person gets a team ahead and boost morale. Ending with a fast person also ensures that your team retains its lead. Also, if a person is bad at receiving a baton, then starting with them may be good. Similarly, if a person is bad at passing the baton, ending with them may be good.
2007-11-12 18:12:12
·
answer #10
·
answered by Baron K 2
·
3⤊
0⤋