4x4 relay strategy

Obviously you need to do what you are comfortable with, but I'd run your 2nd fastest 400m guy first (so that he can come out of blocks) then the 800m 2nd and 3rd then the fastest guy on the anchor. Is there a big disparity on your team (ie you have a guy running 51 and a guy running 59 to get to 3:40) or are all of you are 55 second types?

We ran 3:34 in HS and that's how we did it. (which for others yes that isn't that great and the OP will probably get some slack for running 3:40 but I think its great that you are out there!)

Good luck and have fun!

Your setup seems smart. Running fastest man 2nd is best shot at keeping team in the race. Best for him to hand off to you in with lead pack so you can just hang on. If 2nd fastest man isn't able to keep you in the front you are more likely to get dropped and lose too much ground for anchor to make up.

My HS team used similar setup and had decent success

Good luck-

There is no way anyone can answer this over the internet. They'd need to know the actual times and how each runner does best. From behind? Trying to keep up as best as possible? Are they good finishers, or good starters who fade and who might start even faster if behind?

All those questions factor in.

Go fastest to slowest. Its easier for a slower guy to run a fast time if he is in a race than if he is already behind. Plus it will help you get to the break line faster.

MiddleDistance800 wrote:

So our relay team made CIF Prelims & we have a chance to make finals . We run 3:40 & our team consists of 2 800m runners & 2 400m runners. we put our 3rd fastest guy (800) first. Then our fastest guy (400) second. Im the 3rd leg & I'm the slowest leg. Our 2nd fastest guy (400) runs last. Should we change 2nd leg with 4rth leg so our fastest guy runs anchor? Any tips would be great!

3:40?! yikes.

there are only two options.

2-3-4-1 or 3-2-4-1. i recommend the first one.

If the goal is to qualify for the next round and you are a longshot to do so, you should go 1-2-3-4. Runners 3 and 4 have to overachieve and running without runner 1 behind them means they know that it is on them to maintain a qualifying position, whereas with runner 1 last they can think, "I just need to keep us close and 1 can make it up."

No we all average 55 in the relay. I like your idea & i told my teammates about it & we're going to try it. I like the idea about the 2nd fastest 400 going first because of the block advantage. Thanks for the advice!

So the fastest 400 guy splits a 53 in a open 400 & sometimes a 52 in the relay. Our second 400 guy runs a 54-55 in a open 400. He has a fast 300 then slowly dies at the end. Our 800 guy is our fastest 800 at school he runs a 2:07 & can split a 55-54 in the relay & has a great kick. Then i run a split of 55-56 but run the 800 in 2:15 i have a strong finish & that's why I'm always 3rd leg.

Phil Fondacaro wrote:

If the goal is to qualify for the next round and you are a longshot to do so, you should go 1-2-3-4. Runners 3 and 4 have to overachieve and running without runner 1 behind them means they know that it is on them to maintain a qualifying position, whereas with runner 1 last they can think, "I just need to keep us close and 1 can make it up."

1234 is what the Brits used to beat US in 1991 WC