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RELAY RACES

By:

Treavor Gelsinger

History

The relay method of racing was started in the United States about 1883. The original

method was for the men running the course to take over a small flag from the first man as he

arrived, before leaving on their own stage of the race, at the end of which they, in their turn,

handed on their flags to the awaiting next runners. The flags, however, were considered

burdensome were then replaced by batons. The baton was introduced in 1893. It is carried by the

runner and must be exchanged between lines drawn at right angles to the side of the track 10

meters or 11 yards on each side of the starting line for each leg of the relay. In sprint relays (400

and 800 meters) a 1964 rule change permitted the runner receiving the baton to start his run 10

meters or 11 yards before the zone, but he had to take the baton within the zone itself.

The Olympics displays a wide variety of world class athletes that participate in relays.

The global stage of the Olympics occupies several relay events, in both the summer and winter

games. Relay teams compete by foot in track relays, by swimming, and speed skating covering a

variety distances. Although the Olympics have set a pretty large stage as far as relay racing goes,

it is not the largest. The largest relay event in the world is the Penn Relays, which attracts over

15,000 competitors annually on the High School, Collegiate and Professional levels, and over its

three days attracts upwards of 100,000 spectators. It is credited with popularizing Relay Racing

in the sport of Track & Field.

The nature of relay races is to enhance personal best achievement into a team effort.

Relays can be a source of competition, fun, team building or sports development and loco motor

skills. People of all ages can participate in relays, so the nature of relays has expanded from the

competitive realm to the overall teamwork and cooperative skills training.

Equipment:

Track

Batons

Relays can be made from nearly every piece of athletic equipment. Relays can be performed on a variety of surfaces and areas. Such as, skating/ice skating

rinks, swimming pools, gymnasium, and indoor/outdoor athletic fields.

Rules:

1.The baton must be passed inside the 20 meter passing zone.

2.The baton must be carried in the hand throughout the race.

3.After passing the baton, the runner may not interfere with an opponent.

4.A baton dropped outside the zone must be retrieved by the runner who dropped it.

5.A baton dropped inside the zone may be retrieved by either runner.

6.For relay legs that are 200 meters or less, the outgoing runner may line up 10 meters in front of the exchange zone, but the pass must occur within the 20 meter zone.

Terms:

Anchor - the athlete who runs the last leg in a relay race.

Bend - the curved parts of the running track.

Bend runner - the athlete who runs the first or third leg in a relay race which goes around the bend of the track.

Blind pass - an exchange of the baton between runners which does not necessitate the athlete to look at the baton when passing. The blind pass is usually used in shorter relays known as sprint relays.

Changeover - the process of passing the baton from one runner to the next in a relay race.

False start - so named when an athlete begins a race before the starting gun is fired. If an athlete makes two false starts in a race they are disqualified from the competition.

Lap - the distance of one circuit around a 400 m track. To ‘lap’ a runner is when an athlete overtakes another runner by the distance of one lap.

Leg - the section of a relay race run by a singular athlete.

Relay - made up of four legs, the relay requires a team of athletes to take a leg each to cover a specified distance.

Track - the oval course used for running events.

Lead Up Activities:

1. Three legged Race - Two students will perform the race as a team. Partners will stand side by side, tying legs together with a bandana. Three legged races can be done in partners or in teams of four, in which case two sets of partners will relay back and forth between a specified distance.

2. Balloon Relay - Students will start in groups of four, as they travel together back and forth around two cones while keeping balloons between each group member. If a balloon drops, the team must start from the beginning. Students will decide what method they want to use. Teams will complete the race at the specified distance by keeping every balloon off the ground while remaining linked. Balloons between hips/ shoulders of players in a line. Or connected by balloons at back/chest of teammates in a line.

3. Over/Under - Students will form a single file line and will rotate passing items over head to under legs to over head to under legs until the object moves through a specified distance. After the student in front of the line passes the item, that student will run to the back of the line. That pattern will continue until the specified distance is completed.

4. Orange Under Chin - Students will make a single file line and will have to get an orange from the start of the line to the back completely without dropping the orange. If the orange falls to the ground, the orange must be sent to front of the line. After each drop the last player in line will run to the front to start the relay. The Orange must be transferred from under chin to under chin. Hands are not allowed to be used for transferring down the line. Hands may be used to retrieve a fallen orange to get it back to the front of the line.

5. Sausage Link Relay - Students will be in groups of four, they will continuously build a link across the gym floor from end line to end line. The first students will lay completely stretched out, reaching as far as he/she can, after reaching limit, the student will call out “GO!” signaling the next students to run. That student will run in front of the first student and will also lie on the floor. The second students’ feet will be held by the first students’ hands that are stretched forward. After the link is made and the stretch has maxed out, the next students will go. Students will stretch and run until the link has covered the entire length of the gym.

6. Tunnel Relay - The team stands tightly next to each other and they support themselves with their hands or feet making a tunnel. The last in the line crawls through the tunnel and stands at the front. Now the next player is allowed to start their run. The winning team is the team whose front person is first to touch the finishing line. You must make sure that the teams do not cheat by keeping the distance between the players too wide and therefore getting to the finishing line faster.

7. Cup Stacking Relay - Teams of four will all be given a rubber band with four pieces of string tied to the rubber band. Each team will have to travel as a single unit to retrieve six cups and stack them up into a six cup pyramid. One cup at a time, the only material that

is allowed to touch the cup is the string and rubber band (Not hands, feet, etc to help move the cups).

8. Moving like animals - Student will write down their favorite animals on a note card. The teacher will collect the cards and read off the animal, challenging the students to move like that animal in general space. Animals that should be covered are bear (bear crawl), crab (crab walk), horse (gallop), kangaroo (hop), frog (leap frog), Eagle (soar, jog with arms out), and Cheetah (run). Turn those movements into separate relays.

9. Zookeeper Animal Round Up - Students will move around in general space surrounded by four cones, trying to avoid the Zookeeper. The Zookeeper is a tagger, when an animal is tagged; the animal will travel to whichever cone is closest to them. At the cone will be an exercise that the student must perform to become animals again.

10. Animal Relays – Students will partner up. Teams will start in the middle of the gym or playing area, back to back. They will both run/ move like an animal to opposite marked end lines and back, once or multiple times, first team to return to the starting line first

wins.*11. Loco Motor Skills - Teacher will shout loco motor skills for the students to perform in

general space.12. Loco Motor Skills tag – Students will play a game of tag, but are only allowed to move

according to what motor skill the teacher shouts out. The tagger will also move according to the teachers instructions.

13. Tree, Rock, Bridge Relay - Students get into groups of four. The first students runs a distance and makes a tree shape, the next student runs to the tree, runs around the tree, runs a little further and then makes a rock shape. The third student runs around the tree, jumps over the rock and forms a bridge shape. The fourth student runs around the tree, jumps over the rock, and crawls under the bridge and then makes a tree shape. The tree goes through and becomes the rock. Follow this pattern until students reach the other side of the gym.

14. Tic, Tac, Toe Relay - Students in teams of two will compete in a relay version of tic tac toe. Tic tac toe lines will be set up a good distance away, opposing teams will send one runner out at a time for their team to race for the best spot of the board. Students will run with bean bags and will place the bean bag down in the area of their choice on the board. Students can use tic tac toe strategies to win, but only if they are fast enough.

15. Egg on Spoon Relay - Students will balance an egg (plastic or real) on a spoon and will have to travel a specified distance, run around the cone and successfully hand off the spoon with the egg still on it to the next player in line. If the egg is dropped, the player who dropped has to start over from the beginning. Race will be completed when everyone has successfully traveled the distance without dropping the egg. Students will partner up. Teams will start in the middle of the gym or playing area, back to back. They will both run to opposite marked end lines and back, once or multiple times, first team to

return to the starting line first wins.*

16. Potato Sack Relay – Students will perform a relay by jumping in a potato sack to and from a specified distance. Students will partner up. Teams will start in the middle of the gym or playing area, back to back. They will both move to opposite marked end lines and

back, once or multiple times, first team to return to the starting line first wins.*17. Team Sport Skills -

Basketball Chest Pass Relay-Students will be in groups of four. Three of the four will be on polyspots. The fourth student will start at the front of the lined up students, and will shuffle across the students on polyspots, performing chest passes back and forth. When the passing student goes all the way down the line, they will do a long chest pass to the first student in line, and then get on the last poly spot. After each pass students will move down the line of poly spots. This passing relay will continue until every student has gone through completely.

***Use a variety of sports balls or equipment to cover different sports skills. Use relays to rotate students to experience all positions of a specific sport***

Examples:Soccer- Pass (Same as basketball chest pass). Dribble, and shoot relay (addition to the passing relay but incorporating dribbling and shooting.) Lacrosse - Pass, Cradle, and Shoot RelayFloor Hockey - Pass, dribble, and shoot relayBaseball- Base Running Relay – Students in teams of four, will run the bases, work on base running skills, such as running in the base lines, speed between bases, acceleration and quick turns. -Throwing Relay- Student in teams of four will make a line that covers a large distance. Teams will start at the same end of the line and will try to get the ball from the beginning to the end the fastest. Skills work on quick and accurate throwing, catch and quick throw, throwing to the “cut off” man.Gymnastics – Forward Rolls, Backward Rolls, Cartwheels, Log rolls. Each individual rolling skill will be a separate relay, and then at the end there will be a medley relay. In the medley relay student in teams of four, will select what rolling skill each teammate will perform for the relay. Each teammate will perform a different rolling skill to

contribute to the relay.*18. Skating- Skating Skills put into relay varieties simulating Olympic speed skating relay

events.19. Swimming -Swimming skills put into relay varieties simulating Olympic swimming relay

events.**20. Go and Reach Phrases - Student will get into pairs or groups of four and will create their

own baton transferring phrase. When timing a blind baton transfer, the first word “Go” signals the waiting runner to start running, and the second word “Reach” signals that

runner to hold hand open to receive the baton. Phrases must be two words or two syllables to get the feel for the two commands. Example phrases, “We (Go)…Are (Reach)” “Penn (Go)…State (Reach)” “Kit…Kat”, etc. Let the student get creative!

21. Starter, 2 nd leg , 3 rd leg , Anchor - Students in groups of four will experience a relay race from each leg position. Students will then use strategies to experiment determine their success rate by which leg their teammates will run. The starter starts the race at the sound of the gun, running around the first bend. The 2nd leg is the second runner in the lineup, running the first straightaway in the race. The 3rd leg is the third runner and will run through the second bend in the race. The anchor is the final runner, completing the race with the final straightaway.

22. 4X100- This is a relay race where 4 students will evenly run a distance of 100 meters, or 1 lap.

23. 4X400 - This is a relay race where 4 students will run a distance of 400 meters or 4 laps (1 lap each).

24. Time Trials - Relay teams will challenge each other to 4X100 or 4X400 relays. Every student will have a chance to be each leg of the race for both relays. The teams time will be recorded for each relay, the success rate will be determined by improvement of time not their finishing place in the race.

*= Partner relays will be performed with the following structure.

**= In a pool, will begin at edge of the pool and kick off the wall. Each student will be given a swimming lane, marked off by water barriers. Partners will swim in lanes next to each other but starting on opposite ends.

Lessons:Lesson 1 – Day at the Zoo

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate knowledge of how loco motor skills can be related to animal movements

- Students will demonstrate proper knowledge of safety protocols

Equipment - cones

Lesson Content

1. Have students run two laps around gym, followed by group stretching2. Loco Motor Skills

a. Shout out various loco motor movementsb. Have students perform movements in general space.

i. Joggingii. High kneesiii. Butt kickersiv. Skippingv. Hopping, alternating feetvi. Jumpingvii. crawling

3. Moving like animalsa. Relate human loco motor movements to animal movements

4. Zookeeper Animal Round Upa. Explain and Demonstrateb. Rotate Zookeeper often to give most students a chance.

5. Animal Relaysa. Students will partner up. Teams will start in the middle of the gym or playing area,

back to back. They will both run/ move like an animal to opposite marked end lines and back, once or multiple times, first team to return to the starting line first wins.

b. Explain and demonstrate

Closure – Today we learned how our loco motor skills are similar to animals. We were pretty silly today acting like animals but next class we do creative and silly relays that kids like you can do.

Safety – The activity space will be big enough that every student will have sufficient amount of space to avoid collisions. Taggers will tag softly, penalties will be given if rule isn’t followed.

Lesson 2 – Silly Relays

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate how creativity can make exercise fun


Equipment – potato sacks/pillow cases, plastic spoons. Plastic eggs, tape, bean bags, cones

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Have students skip two laps around the gym, followed by group stretching3. Loco Motor Skills tag

a. Explain and demonstrate4. Tree, Rock, Bridge Relay

a. Explain and demonstrateb. Get students into groups of four, keep groups for the remainder of class

5. Tic, Tac, Toe Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

6. Egg on Spoon Relaya. Explain and Demonstrate

7. Potato Sack Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

Closure – Today we did some creative relays that may have seemed silly but next class we are going to do relays that make us work together working on teamwork skills.

Safety - During the relays, each team will be given a sufficient amount of space to avoid collisions or any interference.

Lesson 3 – Teamwork/Cooperative Relays

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate cooperative and teamwork skills during the relay races


Equipment – Oranges/ Tennis balls, Various Sports balls, Cones, Balloons, Bandanas

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Have students karaoke two laps around gym, followed by group stretching.a. Get students into groups of four, keep groups for the remainder of the class

3. Three legged Racea. Explain and demonstrate

4. Balloon Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

5. Over/Undera. Explain and demonstrate

6. Orange Under China. Explain and Demonstrate

7. Sausage Link Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

8. Tunnel Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

9. Cup Stacking Relaya. Explain and demonstrate

Closure – Today we did some teambuilding and cooperative relays that focused on working together for success. Next class we will see how we can have relay races and practice sports skills.


Lesson 4 – Team Sports Skills Relays - Day 1

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate proper techniques for sports skills during the relay races


Equipment – Basketballs, lacrosse sticks, lacrosse balls/tennis balls, baseball gloves, polyspots, cones

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Baseball -a. Base Running Relay

i. Students will run the bases as a team. Which team can run the bases completely wins.

ii. Explain and Demonstrate

iii. Get students into groups of four, keep groups for the remainder of the class

b. Throwing Relayi. Explain and Demonstrate

3. Basketball - a. Chest Pass Relay

i. Explain and Demonstrateb. Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting Relay

i. Explain and Demonstrate4. Lacrosse -

a. Pass, Cradle, and Shoot Relayi. Explain and Demonstrate

Closure – Today we did relays that helped us practice sports skills, next class we will be doing relays while practicing some other sports skills

Safety - During the relays, each team will be given a sufficient amount of space to avoid collisions or any interference. If sports equipment or balls go astray, say “BALL BALL BALL” to let others know

Lesson 5 – Team Sports Skills Relays – Day 2

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate proper techniques for sports skills and gymnastics during the relay races


Equipment – soccer balls, cones, floor hockey sticks, tennis balls, gymnastics mats

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4a. Review information taught in previous lessonb. Get students into groups of four, keep groups for the remainder of the class

2. Soccer -a. Pass, dribble, and shoot relay

b. Explain and Demonstratei. 0=players positioned staggered to receive and pass backii. = cones to dribble throughiii. = goal, with goalieiv. Players will rotate through positions twice

3. Floor Hockey -a. Pass, dribble, and shoot relay (same set up as above)b. Explain and Demonstrate

4. Gymnastics –a. Log Rolls

i. Explain and Demonstrateii. Have students practice skills with partners in specified areas for the

remainder of the roll skills.b. Forward Rollsc. Backward Rollsd. Cart Wheele. Medley Relay

i. Explain and Demonstrate

Closure – Today we covered various sports skills and put them into relay form. Next class we are going to be skating/ ice-skating and doing relay races on skates just like how professionals do them in the Olympics.

Safety - During the relays, each team will be given a sufficient amount of space to avoid collisions or any interference. If sports equipment or balls go astray, say “BALL BALL BALL” to let others know.

Lesson 6 – Skating Relays

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate proper skating techniques during the relay races


Equipment – inline skates/ice skates, skating/ice-skating rink, cones

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4, L5a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Skate in general space3. Explain to students them will be gently slapping hands to send teammate into the relay.4. 4x1

a. Explain and Demonstrateb. Have students get into groups of four

5. 4x4a. Explain and Demonstrateb. Keep students in same groups of four

6. sprints a. Explain and Deomstrateb. Have students practice by themselves

7. sprint relaysa. Explain and Demonstrateb. Have students get into groups of four

Closure – Today we simulated Olympic style relays for speed skating. Next class we will be doing Olympic style swimming relays. Don’t forget your bathing suit and goggles.

Safety –protective gear- elbow, knee, wrist pads, helmets

Lesson 7 – Swimming Relays

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate proper techniques for swimming and how they can be used in relay races


Equipment – Pool, goggles, kick boards, bathing suits, towels

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Free Swimming in pool space3. Get students into partners4. Freestyle

a. Explain and Demonstrate b. Get students into partners, keep partners for the remainder of the classc. Have partners practice swimming stroked. Have partners compete as a team

5. Backstrokea. Explain and Demonstrateb. Have partners practice swimming strokec. Have partners compete as a team

6. Butterflya. Explain and Demonstrateb. Have partners practice swimming strokec. Have partners compete as a team

7. Medley relaya. Explain and Demonstrateb. Have partners compete as a team

Closure – Today we simulated Olympic swimming relays, even the professionals have to wear goggles. Next class we will do relay races on a track and transfer batons.

Safety – Lifeguard must be on duty

Lesson 8 – A Day At the Races – Day 1

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate proper knowledge of relay race procedures

-Students will demonstrate proper techniques of baton transfers


Equipment – Tape, batons

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7a. Review information taught in previous lesson

2. Go and Reach Phrasesa. Explainb. Have student get into pairsc. Have students get into groups of four, and determine group go and reach

phrase3. Starter, 2nd leg, 3rd leg, Anchor

a. Explain and demonstrateb. Keep students in same groups of four

4. 4X100a. Explain and demonstrateb. Keep students in same groups of four

5. 4X400a. Explain and demonstrateb. Keep students in same groups of four

Closure – Today we did relay races on the track and transferred batons. Next class, we will have our relay team times recorded.


Lesson 9 – A Day At the Races – Day 2

Objectives

-Students will demonstrate strategies for optimum team performance


Equipment –tape, batons, stop watch, score board

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8a. Review information taught in previous lessons

2. Time Trialsa. Relay teams will be rotating through the 4X100 and the 4X400.

i. Two relay teams will run and have their times recorded at a time. ii. Teams not being timed will practice reach and go phrases and baton

transfers in the field area or the track. Students should use practice time to strategize about how to improve their time by either changing their runner order or practicing baton transfers.

iii. Each time will have the opportunity to get their times recorded at least five times.

b. Explain and demonstratec. Have students get into groups of four from last class

Closure – Today we had our relay team times recorded and held a friendly competition. Next class we will be having Olympic Day where we will do a variety of relays we have done in the unit.


Lesson 10 – Ultimate Mix – Olympic Day

Objectives- Students will demonstrate proper techniques for locomotive and sports skills during the relay races

-Students will demonstrate proper knowledge of safety protocols

Equipment – batons, balloons, bandanas, basketballs, polyspots, cones

Lesson Content

1. Recap L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9a. Review information taught in previous lessonb. Get students into groups of four, keep groups for the remainder of the class

2. Three legged Race3. Basketball Chest Pass Relay4. Balloon Relay5. Sausage Link Relay6. Tunnel Relay7. Baton Pass8. Tree, Rock, Bridge Relay

Closure – Remember, your personal best will increase overall team performance

Safety – During the relays, each team will be given a sufficient amount of space to avoid collisions or any interference.

PA Standards:

10.5.9.A:

Describe and apply the components of skill-related fitness to movement performance.

agility balance

coordination

power

reaction time

speed

10.5.9.C: Identify and apply practice strategies for skill improvement.

10.3.3.D: Identify and use safe practices in physical activity settings (e.g., proper equipment, knowledge of rules, sun safety, guidelines of safe play, warm-up, cool-down).

10.5.3.A:

Recognize and use basic movement skills and concepts.

locomotor movements (e.g., run, leap, hop) non-locomotor movements (e.g., bend, stretch, twist)

manipulative movements (e.g., throw, catch, kick)

relationships (e.g., over, under, beside)

combination movements (e.g., locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative)

space awareness (e.g., self-space, levels, pathways, directions)

effort (e.g., speed, force)

10.4.6.F:

Identify and describe positive and negative interactions of group members in physical activities.

leading following

teamwork

etiquette

adherence to rules

National Standards:

Standard 1:Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

Standard 2:Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.

Standard 3:Participates regularly in physical activity.

Standard 5:Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.

Refrences:

Websites:

http://www.talk-athletics.co.uk/guides/athletics_terms_and_terminology

http://www.peuniverse.com/tag/relay%20race&page=1

http://www.games4youthgroups.com/relay-games.html

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=2247

Books:

Schmottlach, Neil, & McManama, J. (2010). Physical education activity handbook . San Francisco, CA: Pearson.

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