SCHOOLGIRL SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19143, 8 October 1925, Page 17

SCHOOLGIRL SPORTS.

Both with women athletes and the public relay racing is now extremely popular, states an English exchange. It appeals to the former because it gives a chance to those who might have none in individual races. That is, a moderate runner may well be, worth her place in a relay team for her skill in the "take-over." Relay races are particularly well suited to schoolgirls because they foster and develop that " team spfrit" which, as the Dachess of AthoU, M.P., has told us, is one of sport's most beneficial influences on youth. Therefore relay races are now an established feature of schoolgirl sports, but they are not always conducted on up-to-date lines. In many cases the receiver of the baton has to remain on a fixed mark until she has the stick. This means a standing start. The proper method admits of a flying start, except for the first lap. Lines are drawn parallel to the starting line to denote the stations of the second, third and fourth runners. At each station two other Hnes are drawn ten yards each side- of the first, making 20 yards between the near arid far 'boundaries'™ i.e., the two outer lines. The receiver waits on or near the back line watching her partner approach. Then she turns round and starts. It is now for the partner to race up alongside her and transfer the baton. She may not do so until it is over the first line, while the receiver mast have the baton in hand when she crosses the far boundary. Otherwise the whole team is disqualified. When the transfer is skilfully carried ont the receiver is well into her stride as she crosses the line, but it is a difficult operation. In an interview Miss N. E. Caflebaut, the 100 yards champion at the first Women's Olympiad and hon. secretary of the London* Olympiad's Athletic Club," which held the world's relay record until robbed of it by Great Britain at the last international meeting, emphasised the importance of the "take-over " "A team of moderate runners," she said, "skilled in it, will always beat a team of champions who 'bungle' the operation." Men usually take the baton with the arm crooked against the side, women with right hand held out behind, thumb and forefinger separated, so that the stick can be thrust into the fork between them. Miss Callebaut things the women's method slightly the better, for it saves the giver a step or two . While waiting the receiver should closely watch her partner. If the latter is tiring it is no use running awav from her but if she is finishing strongly the receiver can get going. I)or this reason a rrjrl who can be trusted to finish strongly is a more valuable member of the team, even if she is on the slow side, than one who dying away to nothing, swerves or stumbles as she finishes, perhaps dropping the baton. 4 , , Although the receiver should watch her approaching partner, once she has turned and started she should not again look round. This demands complete confidence between partners, to be attained by constant practice only. ..... " Every effort, said Miss Callebaut, "should be made to establish a lead in the first lap. This should give confident to the next girl and may dismay her ° P ?Vomeri run 660 yards, divided into laps of 220, 110, 220. 110 yards. Five hundred or 550 vards, suitably divided int? laps, should be enough for senior girls, 400 yards for juniors. The longer lap should come first, for the inside position on a round course gives an overwhelming advantage over a short distance. A cool head, Steady hand, pluck and practice with Use baton make the successful relay runner.