Race finishing techniques

Race finishing techniques:

Athletes uses the following three methods in finishing races:

1. run through technique

2. drop finish technique

3.shoulder shrugging technique

1. run through technique:

In this type of finish the athlete, without keeping the consideration of finishing point, reaches the destination with full speed as it is.

2.drop finish technique or lunge:

In this type of finish the athlete, when the finishing line is just one step ahead the athlete bends both arms backward and tries to touch on the tape on the finishing line with the chest.

3. shoulder shrugging technique: in this type of finishing the athlete shrugs his opposite shoulder to the tape by turning the chest sideways into the tape at the very last movement.

sprint finishing techniques

Middle and long distance races 

middle distance races include the 800mts, 1500 mts, and mile races.

long distance races include the 3000 meter steeplechase, 5000 meter, 10000 meter and marathon races.

running form in these events is not significantly different from the sprinting events except that as the speed of a runner is reduced, the stride length becomes shorter, the body is more erect, and the foot strikes more on the heel in landing.

relays: 

There are two types of relays: sprint relays (400, 800, 1600 meters) and sprint medley (200,400,800 meters) and distances relays (3200,6000) and distance medley (400,800,1200,1600 meters). four runners compete for a team, each running an equal distance (except in medley relays), and pass a baton to the next runner. The baton must be exchanged to the next runner. he baton must be exchanged within a 20 meter exchange zone.

There are two general methods of exchanging the baton. they are 1.the blind pass the visual pass.

Blind pass:
The blind pass is used in sprint relays. In this exchange, the outgoing runner stands in a good sprint position at the back of the 10 meter fly zone located beyond the 20 meter zone.

Visual pass:
The visual pass is used in all distance relay. It enables the outgoing runner to judge the speed and fatigue of the incoming runner.

In this exchange, the outgoing runner, who is turned toward the inside of the track facing the pole lane, stands on the right side of the lane and receives the baton in the left hand, palm up, from the incoming runner's right hand. Upon receiving the baton the outgoing runner should always immediately transfer the baton to the right hand.