keeps the back a little above the shoulder. The weight of the body is equally distributed over the front foot and hands. This last position is usually unstable and tense which helps in leaving the block easily. Head should be in resting position and the grip on the block should be strong.
The athlete should be alert enough to listen to the next command. Fig. . : Both side views of the ‘on your marks’ position Fig.
. : ‘Set’ position Fig. . : Starting block Gun shot Soon after the gun shot, the athlete has to leave the block as quickly as possible.
This helps in a good start. The athlete should lift his body gradually after taking a start. Types of Finishing The finishing of all the races is very important. A little difference can alter the athlete’s ranking.
The following techniques during training process need to be learned to finish the race. Lunging forward In this technique, the athlete lunges the body forward just before the finishing line. The athlete needs to spread arms backward in order to expand the chest forward. While spreading his arms the athlete needs to balance his body.
Shoulder shrug In this technique, the athlete needs to bend shoulders towards the finishing line. The body weight is carried forward while maintaining the balance of the body. While shrugging the shoulders, the athlete needs to bend his head as well as upper body towards the finishing line. Run through This technique is usually adopted by new athletes.
The athlete runs through the finishing line after completing the race. The athlete should not reduce the pace before finishing. Fig. .
: Techniques of finishing the race Relay Races Relay races are team events. In this race, four runners complete a given distance. Each relay team needs four runners. Each runner runs the quarter of the running track, while holding a baton.
Two runners will exchange the baton only in a given exchange zone mark in track. If the baton falls in the exchange zone, then only the athlete who has dropped it will lift it. Table