I was working from the assumption that the coach was attempting to evaluate his runners performance during that particular race, not who were the faster runners in an open 400m a month ago. But, as they say, if you ASSUME...
I was working from the assumption that the coach was attempting to evaluate his runners performance during that particular race, not who were the faster runners in an open 400m a month ago. But, as they say, if you ASSUME...
Interest Ed wrote:
Do it the old fashioned way, with a 400 meter time trial.
For all the reasons mentioned above, relay splits cannot be perfect. Making them race for it is probably the best way for a high profile meet (just make sure you schedule it appropriately).
Not perfect, but you have to account for the discrepancy of the starting methods or you won't have legitimate feedback on the performance of your runners that day...
It depends on how good the team's handoffs are -- if you are talking about the girls 4x4 on our HS team, they are all starting from a dead stop. LOL
The above posters are correct about getting accurate splits. But beyond that, in a relay, time is not the only variable. If your team is so evenly matched that you need a time to the decimal to decide who runs the 4x4, then line 'em up in an open 400 trial. But if you know your kids, you know who ought to run, and what leg. It's one of the few times we coaches actually get to do something!
Besides, we all know what makes a perfect (small) HS 4x4 team: One 400 guy, a 400 hurdler, a 200 guy who hates your guts for making him run a whole lap, and distance guy on a triple. :-)
Yes to all the above, but these splits wouldn't be used to demonstrate anything other than if the runner's themselves were improving both their running abilities and the exchange of the baton...if the final time doesn't continue to improve, you would like to be able to identify where the problem is...Coaches have their own reasons for chosing the participants in their relays, but sometimes a runner early in the season peaks early and never progresses. You can't just assume each runner will continue to improve, and practice time trials every week sometimes are not prudent or possible...some runners are game-day performers and reach to a differnet level during competition...anyway, getting these relevent splits are pretty easy, as long as you understand the variables you must account for...