This document provides information about relay races, including the rules and roles of officials. It discusses the types of relay races (4x100m and 4x400m), how they are run, and the skills and tactics of the runners. It also outlines the duties of key officials in track and field events like judges, umpires, timekeepers, starters, and photo finish judges. Their roles include observing the competition, making decisions on finishes, reporting any violations, and overseeing the start and timing of races.

1. Assignment
Topic, Relay races, rules and
regulation, timing, officials and their
duties.
Group members,
1, M. Riaz Roll No 108
2, Ahmad Raza Roll No 124
Submit to, Madam Yasmin

2. Introductionrelay races.
A relay race is a track and field event in which
athletes run a pre-set distance carrying a baton
before passing it onto the next runner. Often, a
relay team is a team of four sprinters.
What is a relay race?
A relay race is a track and field event in which
athletes run a pre-set distance carrying a baton
before passing it onto the next runner. Often, a
relay team is a team of four sprinters. In athletics,
the two standard relays are the 4x100 meter relay
and the 4x400 meter relay.
Types of relay races
[1] 4 ×400m
[2] 4×100m

3. 4×400m
The 4 × 400 meters relay or long relay is an
athletics track event in which teams consist of
four runners who each complete 400 meters or
one lap. It is traditionally the final event of a
track meet. At top class events, the first 500
meters is run in lanes. Start lines are thus
staggered over a greater distance than in an
individual 400 meters race; the runners then
typically move to the inside of the track.

4. Relay race runners typically carry a relay baton
which they must transfer between teammates.
Runners have a 20 m box (usually marked with
blue lines) in which to transfer the baton. The
first transfer is made within the staggered lane
lines; for the second and third transfers,
runners typically line up across the track
despite the fact that runners are usually
running in line on the inside of the track. This
prevents confusion and collisions during
transfer. Unlike the 4 × 100 m relay, runners in
the 4 × 400 typically look back and grasp the
baton from the incoming runner, due to the
fatigue of the incoming runner, and the wider
margins allowed by the longer distance of the
race. Consequently, disqualification is rare.
History

5. Though the concept can be traced to Ancient
Greece, where a 'message stick' was delivered
via a series of couriers, modern relays emulate
the charity races organized by the New York fire
service in the 1880s, in which red pennants
were handed over every 300 yards. The first
Olympic relay took place in 1908 – but was split
into two legs of 200m, followed by one of 400m
and another of 800m. The first Olympic 4x400m
relay for men took place in 1912; the first for
women was in 1972.

6. Rules
Are you disqualified if you drop the baton in a
relay?
If you drop the baton, you will be disqualified!
If you run out of your lane during the baton
pass, you will be disqualified! If you run out of
the takeover zone without changing the baton,
you will be disqualified! If you cross the finish
line without the baton, you will be disqualified
a. Race is run with a 3-turn stagger:
the first runner runs in lanes all the way,
then the second runner runs the first turn
in lanes before cutting in.
b. The exchange of the baton must occur
within the 20-meter zone (1st half of the zone,
10 m).

7. ***There is no acceleration zone leading into
the exchange zone.**Runner #1 will run in
lanes all the way.
Athlete will basically run the race similar to an
open 400-meter race. NOTE: ideally the baton
is carried in the right hand for control and
optimal “passing” conditions.
** Runners #2 will run a 3-turn stagger
Receives baton in left hand and change
(immediately) to the right hand
Athlete runs in lane until the ‘cut in’ mark
(roughly 1500m start line)
Athlete cuts into the “pole” (lane 1) on a
gradual tangent
** Runners #3, and #4
Receives baton in left hand and change
(immediately) to the right hand.

8. Skills of the Relay Events
Incoming Runner
Responsible for making the exchange
Run strongly through the zone
Actively extend baton straight out and place
baton in palm of outgoing runners hand
Don’t extend the baton until precise moment of
consummating the pass (no “statue of liberty”)
Place top end of baton in outgoing runners
hand

9. Keep pumping the arms until time to make the
exchange.
Outgoing Runner
– Visual exchange (b/c of fatigue)
– Palm up (‘V” up)
– High, stable target
– Receive baton with left hand, then
change immediately to right hand
– Extend arm straight out from shoulder
– DO NOT swipe or snatch the baton,
TAKE the baton under control
– Take-off mark
• (8-16ft; eye ball the mark, no tape)
– Build momentum to match incoming
runners speed (2-4 steps) then look
back or DRAG.
– Aggressive take-off (‘get to getting’)

10. – “Make a gap, close a gap, take a gap
(swing wide)”
4 x 400 Tactics
The first runner must realize that the
stagger is set for 3 turns. Don’t let the
stagger confuse you!
The second runner must be aggressive and
committed to moving ahead or
maintaining a good position.
Both the third and fourth runners must be
willing to hold strong to their positions
at the beginning of the exchange zone.
They must also “make space” so as to
not be pushed out of position.
The third runner must attempt to set up the
anchor runner for a good race position in
which he or she can perform at their best.

11. The fourth runner (anchor) need not always
be the fastest of the group, but rather the
athlete who will run the best and most
aggressive last leg.
All four runners must be strategically placed
and properly balanced in an effort to
ultimately yield the finest TEAM result.
Anticipate shuffling (know the rules)
Make yourself an “identifiable target”
At take-off, hold fast to your position, “butt-
out” posture.
DO NOT swipe or snatch the baton, ‘TAKE’
the baton under control
“Make a gap, close a gap, take a gap”;
jockey for position and “get to getting’.
Know the rules of the exchange (2 or 3
turn), break point, track exit, team
placement prior to exchange.

12. Keep pumping your arms through to the
exchange (no “statue of liberty”)
After the exchange is complete, continue
forward momentum, when area is clear
move off the track without impeding
progress (See rulebook on track exit
procedures)
More 4x400m Tactics
• During race, pass on the straight-a-way
whenever possible. Swing out to pass,
never pass on the inside (UNLESS YOU
SEE DAYLIGHT!)
• Run one step inside of the outside of
the occupied lane.
• When approaching the final straight-a-
way, runners 2, 3, and 4 should swing

13. wide (to pass) and hold position straight
ahead.
• Upon making the exchange, incoming
runner should be on the inside of the
occupied lane, while the outgoing
runner is on the outside of the occupied
lane.
• Avoid entanglement.
• Protect the baton!
Track events officials and their duties
General
1. The Chief Judge for Track Events and the
Chief Judge for each Field Event shall
coordinate the work of the judges in their
respective events. When the relevant body has
not
already allocated the duties of the Judges, they
shall allocate the duties.
Track Events and Road Events

14. 2. The Judges, who must all operate from the
same side of the track or course, shall decide
the order in which the athletes have finished
and, in any case where they cannot arrive at a
decision, shall refer the matter to the Referee,
who shall decide.
Note: The Judges should be placed at least 5m
from, and in line with, the finish and should
be provided with an elevated platform.
Umpires
Umpires are assistants to the Referee,
without authority to make final decisions.
2. The Umpires shall be placed by the Referee
in such a position that they may observe the
competition closely and, in the case of a
failure or violation of the Rules (other than
Rule
230.1) by an athlete or other person, make an
immediate written report of the incident to

15. the
Referee.
3. Any such breach of the Rules should be
communicated to the relevant Referee by the
raising of a yellow flag or any other reliable
means approved by the Technical Delegate(s).
4. A sufficient number of Umpires shall also
be appointed to supervise the takeover zones
in
Relay Races.
Note (i): When an Umpire observes that an
athlete has run in a different lane from his
own, or
that a relay takeover has taken place outside
the takeover zone, he should immediately
mark on the track with suitable material the
place where the infringement took place.
Note (ii): The Umpire(s) shall report to the
Referee any breach of the Rules, even if the
athlete

16. (or team, for Relay Races) does not finish the
race.
Timekeepers, Photo Finish Judges and
Transponder Timing Judges
In the case of hand timing, a sufficient
number of timekeepers for the number of
athletes
entered shall be appointed. One of them shall
be designated the Chief Timekeeper. He shall
allocate duties to the Timekeepers. These
Timekeepers shall act as back-up
Timekeepers
when Fully Automatic Photo Finish or
Transponder Timing Systems are in use.
2. Timekeepers, Photo Finish and
Transponder Timing Judges shall act in

17. accordance with
Rule 165.
3. When a Fully Automatic Photo Finish
System is used, a Chief Photo Finish Judge
and an
adequate number of assistants shall be
appointed.
4. When a Transponder Timing System is
used, a Chief Transponder Timing Judge and
an
adequate number of assistants shall be
appointed.
Start Coordinator, Starter and Resellers
1. The Start Coordinator shall:
a) Allocate the duties of the start team judges.
In the case of competitions under 1.1(a)
and Area Championships and Games, the
determination of which events will be

18. assigned to the International Starters will be
the responsibility of the Technical
Delegates.
b) Supervise the duties to be fulfilled by each
member of the team.
c) Inform the Starter, after receiving the
relevant order from the Competition Director,
that everything is in order to initiate the start
procedure (e.g. that the Timekeepers,
the Judges and, when applicable, the Chief
Photo Finish Judge and the Wind Gauge
Operator are ready).
d) Act as an interlocutor between the technical
staff of the timing equipment company
and the Judges.
e) Keep all papers produced during the start
procedure including all documents

19. showing the reaction times and/or false start
waveform images if available.
f) Ensure that what is ruled under Rule 162.8 is
fulfilled.
2. The Starter shall have entire control of the
athletes on their marks.
When a false start control apparatus is used,
the Starter and/or an assigned Recaller shall
wear headphones in order to hear clearly any
acoustic signal emitted in the case of a false
start (see Rule 161.2).
3. The Starter shall position himself so that he
has full visual control over all athletes during
the
start procedure.
It is recommended, especially for staggered
starts, that loudspeakers in the individual lanes
be used for relaying the commands and the

20. start and any recall signals to all athletes at the
same time.
Note:
The Starter shall place himself so that the whole
field of athletes falls into a narrow visual
angle. For races using crouch starts it is necessary
that he is so placed that he can ascertain
that all athletes are currently steady in their set
positions before the gun is fired or approved
starting apparatus is activated. (All such starting
apparatus is termed “gun” for the purpose
of the Rules.) Where loudspeakers are not used in
races with a staggered start, the Starter
shall so place himself that the distance between
him and each of the athletes is
approximately the same. Where, however, the
Starter cannot place himself in such a
position, the gun shall be placed there and
discharged by electric contact.

21. 4. One or more Resellers shall be provided to assist
the Starter.
For events of 200m, 400m, 400m Hurdles, 4x100m,
4x200m, the Medley Relay and
4x400m Relays, there shall be at least two Resellers
.
Starter’s Assistants
1. The Starter’s Assistants shall check that the
athletes are competing in the correct heat or
race and that their bibs are worn correctly.
2. They must place each athlete in his correct lane
or position, assembling the athletes
approximately 3m behind the start line (in the case
of races started in echelon, similarly
behind each start line).
When this has been completed, they shall signal to
the Starter that all is ready. When a new
start is ordered, the Starter’s Assistants shall
assemble the athletes again.

22. 3. The Starter’s Assistants shall be responsible for
the readiness of batons for the first athletes in
a Relay Race
Lap S1. Lap Scorers shall keep a record of the laps
completed by all athletes in races longer than
1500m. Specifically, for races of 5000m and longer,
and for Race Walking events, a number
of Lap Scorers under the direction of the Referee
shall be appointed and provided with lap
scoring cards on which they shall record the times
over each lap (as given to them by an
official Timekeeper) of the athletes for whom they
are responsible. When such a system is
used, no Lap Scorer should record more than four
athletes (six for Race Walking events).
Instead of manual lap scoring, a computerized
system, which may involve a transponder
carried or worn by each athlete, may be used.
Wind Gauge Operator

23. The Wind Gauge Operator shall ensure that the
gauge is placed in accordance with Rule
163.10 (Track Events) and 184.11 (Field Events). He
shall ascertain the velocity of the wind in
the running direction in appropriate events and
shall then record and sign the results
obtained and communicate them to the
Competition Secretary.
Measurement Judge
One (or more) Measurement Judge(s) shall be appointed
when Electronic or Video Distance
Measurement or other scientific measurement device is
to be used.
Before the start of the competition, he will meet the
technical staff involved and familiarize
himself with the equipment.
Call Room Judges
The CallRoom Chief Judge shall supervise the transit between
the warm-up area and the

24. competitionarea to ensure that the athletes, after being
checked in the Call Room, be
present and ready at the competition site for the scheduled
start of their event.
The CallRoom Judges shall ensure that athletes are wearing the
nationalor Club uniform
clothing officiallyapproved by their nationalgoverning body,
that the bibsare worn
correctly and correspond with start lists, that shoes, number
and dimension of spikes,
advertising on clothing and athletes’ bags comply with the
Rules and Regulationsand that
unauthorized material is not taken into the arena. The Judges
shall refer any unresolved issues
or matters arising to the Call Room Referee.
Description of the positions
** Runner #1 will run in lanes all the way.
Athlete will basically run the race similar to an open 400-meter race.
NOTE: ideally the baton is carried in the right hand for control and
optimal “passing” conditions.
** Runners #2 will run a 3-turn stagger
Receives baton in left hand and change (immediately) to the right hand

25. Athlete runs in lane until the ‘cut in’ mark (roughly 1500m start line)
Athlete cuts into the “pole” (lane 1) on a gradual tangent
** Runners #3, and #4
Receives baton in left hand and change (immediately) to the right hand
Skills of the Relay Events
 Incoming Runner
– Responsible for making the exchange
– Run strongly through the zone
– Actively extend baton straight out and place
baton in palm of outgoing runners hand
– Don’t extend the baton until precise moment of
consummating the pass (no “statue of liberty”)
– Place top end of baton in outgoing runners hand
– Keep pumping the arms until time to make the
exchange.
Outgoing Runner
– Visual exchange (b/c of fatigue)
– Palm up (‘V” up)
– High, stable target
– Receive baton with left hand, then change
immediatelyto right hand
– Extend arm straight out from shoulder
– DO NOT swipe or snatch the baton,TAKE the baton
under control
– Take-off mark
• (8-16ft; eye ball the mark, no tape)
– Build momentum to match incomingrunners speed
(2-4 steps) then look back or DRAG.

26. – Aggressive take-off (‘get to gettin’)
– “Make a gap, close a gap, take a gap (swing wide)”