Getting out of being boxed in.

get out faster

get out fast and always run in between lane 1 & 2.... never run in lane one unless you're leading

Coach is right. Stop being a pvssy and take charge. No excuses.

Woodruff's 800 victory in 1936

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khBG2elIIMk

Many options. Here are a few:

1. Don't get into the position of being boxed in.

2. Run in lane 2

3. Run faster

4. Run slower

5. Don't panic eventually the pack will thin out.

Coach G wrote:

5. Don't panic eventually the pack will thin out.

Even in an 800 people are constantly moving up, moving back, moving out, moving in. Be patient. Lane one is your friend in the early and middle stages of a race.

You've got to think outside the box

You have spikes on your shoes for a reason...

Coach G wrote:

Many options. Here are a few:

1. Don't get into the position of being boxed in.

2. Run in lane 2

3. Run faster

4. Run slower

5. Don't panic eventually the pack will thin out.

Thorough analysis. I personally don't like option 4 because you lose too much momentum. If you stay near the front the box will break on the final turn.

Also, some refs are dicks, but most don't want to disqualify a kid.

Rudisha800 wrote:

get out fast and always run in between lane 1 & 2.... never run in lane one unless you're leading

Watch some vids of Rudisha and Centro. Very good tactical runners. Then watch Brenda Martinez and Robbie Andrews. You'll see some differences.

You must be good or enough of a threat to warrant these tactics. 1. So you should be able to control the race at the front. Running on the outer edge of lane one will put you in a position to fend off people getting in front of you and starting the box. Use your right arm to defend your lane. When you sense someone coming up, increase your pace and armbar them if they attempt to cut you off.

2. Another way is to run on the outside shoulder of their front blocker, who is usually one is the slower guys. Their number one guy is usually the outside blocker and you will force him to run in lane three. Most number one guys won't run in lane three for too long. The box may never materialize or disintegrate quickly. Then make your move with a lap or so to go.

4. Be the hunter instead of the prey. Hunt their number one guy from the start and run on his outside shoulder. Again, this should prevent the box from being formed or staying together because you are forcing the runners to think on their feet and find a way to reposition themselves during the race. Use him and then lose him.

Ok but i don't wear spikes during my 800s or 1500s. And I'm not mean

An btw I'm a girl

So keep in the 1st lane for like the first 250 meters then move it to the second then bring it in between the first and the second? And stay on the outside shoulder of the front girl.

If i slow down do you think the person behind me would too then i could cut around the girl to the side and get in front of them.

I try not to get boxed but its always the same girls from the same teams. Some know I'm a recruit but still..

Iowa has some pretty mean teams

This has nothing to do with being a girl, and nothing to do with "mean" or "nice." The girls boxing you in are not being mean, they're being competitive. Taking measures to get out -- even if it's a little bit of elbow activity -- is also not mean. It's taking control of your own destiny. That's a good thing. That's how you win.

Be as nice as you want off the track. Be a fierce competitor when you need to be. The two are totally disconnected. Remove emotion from the equation, stop holding back, and let yourself be a winner.

Im only saying i was a girl bc someone mentioned guys so i was just making sure they knew i was a girl. i know the difference btween being competitve adn being mean. they rnt being competitve other girls have boxed me in and they were competitve about it. these girls aren't

Slow down slightly, create space, move to the outside of lane 1. People will move into the space to your left that you have just created, but you will generally be un-boxed within a hundred yards or so. Basically you are pushing yourself to the outside by slightly slowing down to create space in front of you.

Those are four ways to defeat getting boxed in.

Best of luck. I competed in NE Iowa.

mr. nice guy wrote:

Be as nice as you want off the track. Be a fierce competitor when you need to be. The two are totally disconnected.

Even more important, you can't wait for something like getting boxed in. There's no time. This means a change in the way you are thinking while racing. You must be very proactive. That's different than being "nice" or "mean." As an example, someone squeezes through. You need to respond to that immediately by upping the pace a bit to maintain position.

No one wants you to be/act in a way that doesn't sit well with you even on the track. That means you are going to have to get faster so you can sit mostly on the outside.

If you're racing the 800 and 1500, you should be wearing spikes. The only exception is if you're coming back from an injury and need more support, in which case racing flats might be okay. If you're coming back from an injury serious enough for you to be uncomfortable in anything other than supportive training shoes, you probably shouldn't be racing yet.

Get out hard and be willing to fight for your position. Be aggressive. Stay slightly towards the outside of lane one and don't let anyone pass you inside. Passing you on the outside forces other runners to wait until a straightaway or run extra distance.

The 800 is a very physical event, a fact meet officials are well aware of. I can think of a half-dozen occasions where I've been involved in shoving matches mid 800, but I've never been DQ'd for it. Keep in mind, however, that awareness--of yourself and your competitors--is what separates the half milers who consistently place from the half milers who consistently win.

Bumpin' is racin'.

Don't be afraid to throw 'bows.

Or just always lead.

Elbows.