How do you run a relay race?

I'm running a relay race on Friday for Sports day because I'm a fairly fast sprinter. However, I've never actually tried passing or receiving a baton before. When you run to pass the baton to others, do you slow down and how should you receive the baton?|||First a coach ideally, or the relay team, less ideally decides the running order of each member of the relay team. The runner with the best start should usually be chosen for the first (leadoff) leg. This runner should be good out of the blocks and able to position the team well for the first exchange. Normally, the anchor leg runner is the fastest member of the team, capable of running down other runners who may have gaid a lead over the course of the relay. The middle two runners should be capable of holding the lead or expanding the lead (under ideal conditions).





It is vital to team success that the team practice full speed exchanges with the baton and limited to the legal exchange zones (within a 20 meter zone). If the relay is a true sprint relay, 4X100 or 4X200, the exchanges must be blind passes if the team is to be competitive. For Sprint Medley (400, 200, 200, 800) and 4X400 you may be able to so some visual exchanges; this is however, not the optimal or fastest option since the runners will inevitably decelerate to make the exchange.





Your team would likely benefit from consulting a training video or a track and field coaching manual which explains how to use a tape or chalk line as the start line for the outgoing runner who can then be accelerating prior to the incoming runner's reaching the exchange zone.





At minimum, a relay team would need to devote one full training session to practicing the baton passes and mechanics of the relay, running a full race pace. While the practice baton passes can be done from distances of 50 meters, at least two full distance runs should be done prior to competition.|||you should practice first. You only have a short space to pass the baton. Ideally you do not slow down to give off the baton, the other person gets to speed first. The receiver holds his arm down and behind him with the thumb and fingers open to receive (palm facing you). The pumping of your arms brings the baton forward and you push it into the receiver's open hand, which makes that person react and close his hand, and you let go.





If you do not have the timing down, lots of problems can happen and the baton can get dropped or you can run through the passing zone.





You need to practice. Very important. Practice the exchange.





I used to run relay way back in high school.