Baton on the Jog: Exchange Warm-Up with the Call

A warm-up in groups of four where the baton travels up the line while the group jogs single file. It raises the heart rate and grooves the call and the receiver's hand before relay practice.

How to play

1. Groups of four in single file, two meters apart. Easy jog while the last runner passes the baton forward with no call, hand to hand (2 min).
2. Add the call: the passer shouts "Hand!" and the receiver reaches back without looking or slowing down (2 min).
3. Switch hands: the baton comes in on the left and goes out on the right, like a real 4x100 (2 min).
4. Building pace: each lap of the cone lane is a little faster without dropping the baton (2 min).
5. Two 30 m accelerations with one exchange each at the end (2 min).

Rules

• The receiver doesn't look back: trust the call.
• If the baton drops, the person who dropped it picks it up after checking for runners.
• Each group has its own lane marked with cones.
• Keep the call short and clear, no random yelling.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard of hearing: the signal is a tap on the shoulder instead of the voice.
• Visual impairment: the receiver runs with a guide on the free side and gets a double call.
• Nervous students: start as the passer, who doesn't receive blind.

Learning goals

• Gradually raise the heart rate.
• Automate the call and the receiving arm.
• Coordinate exchanges without losing running rhythm.

Equipment for a class of 25

• batons: 8
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

If you're short on batons, 30 cm pieces of PVC pipe with sanded edges work. The most common mistake is the receiver turning the torso to look back: fix it in the first minute.

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