PRACTICE WILL MAKE PERFECT FOR SPRINT RELAY SQUADS

Jamaica  is the defending Olympic Champion in the men’s sprint relay. It is also the world record holder and Olympic record holder 37.04 and 37.10 respectively. It is a commonly held belief that Jamaica will easily defend its Olympic title in London this summer and that by the end of these coming Games in London, the world record will almost be untouchable, somewhere in the region of 36.8 or 36.6 seconds, maybe even faster.

Don’t believe me? Well, let’s look back to the Utech Classic held at the national stadium earlier this month. A team of Mario Forsythe, Yohan Blake, Kimmari Roach and Usain Bolt stopped the clock at an impressive 37.82 seconds in rainy conditions. The time was also accomplished with two poor baton changes as Roach, perhaps excited by the speed at which Blake was coming at him, took off too early and had to come to a virtual complete halt just to take the baton safely within the changeover zone. The final pass to Bolt was also not as smooth as it could have been. Had they not had to contend with those issues, this team representing the Racers’ track club could perhaps have been closer to the 37.10 Jamaica ran in Beijing in 2008. Replace Forsythe with Carter and Roach with Powell and that 37.82 could have been a second or more faster.

The reality is that at no other time in history has a relay team been comprised of so much quality sprinters. The new world record that was set by Jamaica in Daegu, South Korea last year was accomplished without the services of Asafa Powell, the third fastest man in history. It would have been interesting to see what time Jamaica would have managed had Powell been fit enough to compete. Still, as it is Jamaica possesses the most talented relay pool, with Michael Frater (9.88), Yohan Blake (9.82), Nesta Carter (9.78), Asafa Powell (9.72) and, of course, Usain Bolt (9.58). Any four of these men running together can easily shatter the existing record.

However, going into London, I would love to see the pool of afore-mentioned sprinters enter a few meets running the relays, experimenting with several combinations that will give each and every member a chance to experience exchanges with each other and most importantly get in valuable practise.

Yes, there are many of us who feel that all we have to do is get the stick around and we will win and they wouldn’t be wrong to feel that way. But consider this. The Americans, who are really our greatest rivals this year, will be faster than ever before. Walter Dix and Justin Gatlin are clearly faster this year and Mike Rodgers and Tyson Gay can run with the best of them; so too, Darvis Patton or the returning Ryan Bailey. This pool of American sprinters might be a little closer to Jamaica this year, even if Blake is faster than ever before. So Jamaica cannot afford to be too nonchalant.

The other thing Jamaica would want to test is the Powell lead-off option, which I feel would give Jamaica the best shot of really shattering the world record. Powell is still among the best starters in the world and there is no one anywhere whom he would not destroy on an opening leg in the sprint relay, save for perhaps Tyson Gay. In my set-up Powell hands off to Yohan Blake, who because of his raw speed and speed endurance would be the perfect choice for the back stretch. Blake does not run the turn well and would lose valuable time negotiating it. So instead, he smokes the back stretch and hands off to Nesta Carter, who delivers to Usain Bolt. The way I see it, after the first two legs Jamaica would have at least a seven to eight metre lead and Carter would maintain that lead going into the anchor leg. The only better option I could see is Powell to Bolt to Carter to Blake.

However, for this proposed combination or any other for that matter, to work at its most efficient, it would be prudent to get a few practice runs in to make sure everyone is comfortable. This supremely talented squad doesn’t have much time left together as a couple of them will soon be on the wrong side of 30. It would be nice to see them do something really special before the window on the greatest sprint relay squad in history closes.

The case of the distaff sprint relay team is troubling. I know its early days yet, but if the performance of Jamaica’s women against the USA at the recently concluded Penn Relays is any indication of what to expect this summer, Jamaica’s women will be demolished by their American rivals. And this is not even about the speed, because to be fair, the Americans are a lot more race sharp than the Jamaicans. Simpson and Frazer-Pryce, for example, are not race ready. The former is coming off a slight mishap at the Utech Classic, Aleen Bailey looks a bit heavy and Kerron Stewart has just a couple races under her belt. However, the passing of the stick was disastrous.

Many of us will remember that it was Simpson and Stewart who botched the baton change that cost Jamaica a potential gold medal in Beijing four years ago. The lack of synergy between the two was on display again on the weekend and it cost the team some valuable time. The exchange between Stewart and Bailey was even worse so by the time the baton got round to Frazer-Pryce the race was over, which explains why the reigning Olympic champion seemed so disinterested while trotting the anchor leg.

The women will get sharper for sure, but if they are to challenge the Americans in London, a lot of work needs to get done. Word is that the women don’t ‘work well’ together but I would like to believe that they will be able to put whatever differences they have between them and work together to achieve the goal of winning a gold medal for Jamaica in London, because if they produce another performance like the one at Penns, it will be a knock-out for the Americans.

They have an even smaller window to work with and there are no clear successors. This could well be one of their last shots for a while at a gold medal at a major meet. They should do everything within their power to make it happen now.

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24 Responses to “PRACTICE WILL MAKE PERFECT FOR SPRINT RELAY SQUADS”

  1. Ken (USA) says:
    April 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Compelling commentary that deserves a well-round of applause. The JAM men are on the verge of something great (perhaps running the first sub-37 4×1). The women, well…. Egos are more ripe with the ladies than with the men. Last year’s thrashing in Daegu should have awoken the Ja ladies, but good. They need practice. They can’t keep dependng on Campbell-Brown to run down Jeter. Jeter is stronger & faster over 200m, so she can hold off any surge VCB may mount. Furthermore, the Ja ladies can’t depend on their speed alone, like the men, to get them around the oval with mediocre passes, like the men – (However if they don’t practice better baton exchanges, the USA men will snatch a win). The ladies must nail the baton exchanges and get the stick to the anchor – ahead of Jeter – or game over. VCB should have been running at the Penn relays. However, one thinks egos may have played a role in why she wasn’t running with SAFP, KS, & SS. I would like to suggest, if it hasn’t been done so already, is for the JAM relay coaching staff and relay pool to review tapes of the former East German women relayists. Why has their 41.37 WR stood for 27 years? Because they were they combined precision passing with speed. The USA & Ja ladies are faster than the 1985 WR quartet, yet it seems only the USA is hungry enough to get the record and the London gold.

  2. J. Don Manh says:
    April 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Like many fans watching the women’s 4×1 relay, I was shockingly disappointed. The Class 1 Girls’ teams at champs possessed a slicker and more precise baton change.The girls look ragged and yes, slow. I hope the Author of this article is correct to say that Kerron and the other ladies aren’t race ready yet. It is 2 months away from The Trials. When will they be race ready??? I thought that once a top tier sprinter always a top tier sprinter. So, Kerron, Shelly and possible Sherone, who is no longer a top tier sprinter, should have sprinting techniqes cemented through perpetuity. Kerron appeared to have been sprinting all out! I hope the ladies can take a page from the men’s wnning script.

  3. ben amar says:
    April 30, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Two thumbs up on the article! Just going to give my two cents(opinions)and say that Jamaica should go all out and give their best performances in London as well. The last Olympic was great but I still believe we can be greater. After all, we have the same talented athletes competing and more, just think some are too satisfied with what was accomplished in 2008.
    This is not the time to be braking up, but to go all the way on the gas pedal, to cement the country as a true sprinting power.We don’t want to be known as the country who did great at one Olympics and flop directly after.
    ALl the best to everyone competing.

  4. Kay says:
    May 1, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    The Americans have peaked too early I am not concerned about our (jamaica’s) girls they will get it right for he love of country (I hope).

  5. Paul Beverley says:
    May 1, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    I agree the synergy between Sherone and Kerron isn’t working. Here is my choice for the female 4*100 team.
    Shelly-ann leadoff to Kerron to (Jura or substitute) VCB because of her top end speed anchor, although perfect for the third leg because of her curve running.
    Male:
    Carter leadoff to Asafa then Yohan to Usain.

    It is a problem(concern) when you watch our professional athletes underperform at this level.(Maybe there isn’t the financial benefitsfor them to be more prepared at this point of the season by their respective coaching staff).

    However, once u have given your opponents the opportunity to revel in thier wins, it will sometimes take much more to win that back,as sometimes that depletes your confidence level as a team.

  6. Jakan says:
    May 2, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Powell on the third leg? Unless you want his coach to mash dung Jamaica. LOL! They must be saying how rude, Asafa is not allowed to run corners-not good for his groin. . . .

    @ Paul Beverley, very good call on those relay teams. I must say I have my doubts about Kerron anywhere. It seems she will not fit anywhere – not good as starter and has the dickance taking a baton from anywhere,

  7. Ray says:
    May 3, 2012 at 9:05 am

    There is no chance that Bolt will run any leg but the final one. I think he has earned that distinction and Jamaica and the rest of the world would be seeing the making of the “LEGEND.”

  8. jnp40 says:
    May 3, 2012 at 9:59 am

    As for the men’s 4×1 i think as long as we have save hand off of the baton we are unbeatable now the woman its a whole other can of worm. I think our women sprint relay team has gotten worst since the last olympic, everybody has gotten slower except Veronica who i think has gotten better. Look for our women sprint relay team to be runners up to the USA once again…I can’t beleive Allison Felix is running pass all these so call sprinters, she amazing until the run into VCB..Can’t wait for LONDON.

  9. Godfrey Walters says:
    May 3, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Years ago, the recommended Baton passing was the receiver would open his/her hand and the passer would slap the baton INTO the open hand of the receiver who would then clse their hand on the baton and take off. I have seen all manner of sloppy passes since by many different Countries. Let us PRACTICE the proper method and STICK to it!

  10. 2cute says:
    May 3, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    my little piece is,,what I saw took place at the pen relay last saturday wasn’t pretty at all..that race was over from the first leg Simpson got out ran, so was kerron,,there wasn’t much Bailey could do to catch up and Shelly sey why di hell killing out myself , so she just give up…they need to replace Simpson…she is no used for that team,, kerron and Simpson is a mess handing off to each other.. dem no learn dat yet..

  11. Lannate says:
    May 3, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    Mr.author you’re too mild. The JA women’s 4x100m was not just troubling it was a disaster, not a sight to behold at all. All now mi eyes dem ah awt mi. I literally cringed at the baton exchanges among the women.
    For start, Sherone actually crept out the blocks and was out of gas by the first 20 meters, and look like a totot train going up a hill(I think I can, I think I can). If she was not up to par why waste plane fare to come disappoint herself and the fans. We are not saying they must win but don’t look your worst in just a few short months before the Olympics. Next, Aleen stood like a rock to receive the baton like she was doing a 4x400M, WOW!!!
    Hope we see a better relay line-up as in Jura to Shelly to VCB(if we could pry her from the “entitled” anchor leg)to Kerron.

    As for the men, Nesta, c’mon two individuals cannot run side by side in a lane. During the baton exchange he was all up under his teammate’s armpit like he was checking out his deodorant. Nuh!!! wasted a lot of time there.
    On the good side, good effort Clark, Kimari is looking well,great run.

  12. Dex says:
    May 5, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Penn relays was a disaster for the women. They got beat in both baton passing and speed. Previous comment is correct, save for VCB, no one seemed to have improved since Daegu. I also believe Simpson no longer has the pace to compete at this level and should be replaced on the relay squad, which is think should be Facey\Levy to SFP to Stewart and VCB on anchor. That still may not be enough speed to beat the US team (who seem hungry as hell) so baton change has to be perfect to have a chance. As for the the men, Carter to Blake to Usain to Powell, all they have to do is bring the stick around and victory is assured..as for sub 37.04, perfect stick passing and sub 37 sec is a given..

  13. Paul Matthews says:
    May 6, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Good argument Mr Shearer!

  14. calvin stamp says:
    May 8, 2012 at 4:07 am

    i would beg to differ on the men 4×1, my line up would be asafa, Blake, carter to bolt. asafa for is bullet start, Blake for top-end speed and (2nd leg is the longest leg 120m )carter for is curve running and is likely ability to get out from a fast in coming Blake, and finally to bolt, top end speed.

  15. calvin stamp says:
    May 8, 2012 at 4:17 am

    i would beg to differ on the mens 4×1, my line up would be asafa, Blake, carter to bolt. asafa for his bullet start, Blake for top-end speed and (2nd leg is the longest leg 120m )carter for his curve running and his likely ability to get out from a fast in coming Blake, and finally to bolt, top end speed.

  16. cisaacs says:
    May 8, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    The Penn relays was a disaster for the women.And considering that 3 of the girls were on it from last hurrah,we should be fretting right now. The ego of Fraser and Veronica must go. No longer is Simpson a factor here. She is not back to form,and she is not making any progress.The fact is Ja must start with Stewart,then to Fraser to counter “Chicken Legs’ then to Calvert/Russell to VCB.The US got the jump on us at Penn by starting that girl Madison,who beat VCB indoors this year.We cannot go into the race with a starting disadvantage or we will lose. The baton change needs improving also.Simply horrible at Penns.Once we counter the US runner for runner,and VCB gets the baton i-2 meters ahead on Jeter,we will win.

  17. winsomenembhard says:
    May 9, 2012 at 8:19 am

    all u people stop talking bad things about our girls. i know they will win big time at the OG.good luck girls…..

  18. andrea christie says:
    May 9, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Cudos to the author, very insightful and correct. Before a battle their must be a drill practice or your squad will be defeated. “Practice makes perfect” should be a mantra adopted by the JAAA for athletes collectively representing the country. As for the men’s 4x100m I am estatic to see the depth of the talent pool for Jamaica, and since we have we should grab at the opportunity to make Jamaica legendary country in sprinting. I noted that no one included Frater (ran .88secs on his leg in Bejiing) or Clarke (Commonwealth Champ). Can’t we send 2 relay teams to the Olympics….(trust me any of the two could win)

  19. marjorie barnett says:
    May 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    All the comments were valid and on point the women relay team needs to re shuffle Sheron simpson is not performing at the level she needs to be if jamaica is to win a medal peroid kerron stewart still has the speed but she and sherone simpson does not have the relay chemestry they have done this so many times and still cant get it right Jury leavey did well in dagu Ailene bailey does very well once she gets the stick this relay team should be veronica campbell ailene bailey jury leavey and kerron stewart or simone faceyor what about shilone calvert

  20. lisa says:
    May 16, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    My! MY! what to say, OK! this is my view, I still do have confidence in our women 4 x100. but girls its time to step it up now!!! I know us Jamaicans whenever it comes to the Olympics its a different thing!!! This is my line up for the women 4x100m Frazer,Stewart, Simpson VCB!! am having faith you guys.

    On the other hand for the men 4×100

    Powell, Carter, Blake, Bolt!!!! and a good baton change NEW WORLD RECORD set and is broken by who set it YES!!!!!

  21. Gregory Smith says:
    May 20, 2012 at 11:43 am

    I have shared similar sentiments in the past most recently in the form of a solo campaign to conclude our national trials with relays. Take note of the following article.

    Selecting a Victorious Relay team for London Olympics
    Gregory Smith

    May 10 (10 days ago)

    to info, editorial, feedback, athleticsja

    The Clash of the Titans Relays

    Sprinters vs. Hurdlers

    The recent conclusion of the Jamaica International Invitational Meet 2012 was certainly very entertaining, a track & field aficionado’s delight.

    Now, with the Senior National Trials looming in the horizon it’s promising to be fireworks in the sprints. Once again fans are salivating its arrival.

    Last year I embarked on a solo effort to drum up support to close the trials with select teams competing in 4x400M relays for both men and women.

    At present there is much speculation of Bolt and Blake running possible legs on this quartet for the London Olympics. Given the performance of both teams

    (male & female 4X400M ) at last year World Championship its possible that Jamaica could pull a surprise upset in both male and female relays giving the right chemistry and combination.

    However instead of waiting until they, the team, get to their London training base why not preview the talent and see each individual’s competence in handling the stick now, and not later.

    By doing so maybe we can construct teams that can simulate the Calabar High School team which was flawless in winning at “Champs & JII 2012“.

    For this reason I am proposing to all listening ears, that we conclude the Senior National trials with 4x400M relays for both men and women.

    In submitting this proposition I am also recommending the following format.

    Team A – Odd number placing in the 400M finals

    Team B – Even number placing ““ 400M finals

    Team C – Odd number “ “ “400M hurdles finals

    Team D – Even number “ “ “400M Hurdles “

    Team E, F& G the top 12 performers in the 100M & 200M sprints

    Team H – The first 4 in the 800M

    To help visualize what a team selection may look like picture

    800 quartet of Goule, Sinclair, Campbell & Montaque (school girls)

    Bolt, Blake, Weir, Ashmead (a sprinter quartet) and

    McFarlane, Robertson, Cato, Green or Findlay (400M Hurdlers)

    With a little imagination the possibilities can become realities.

    In conclusion this relay could be used as a part of the promotion to attract the crowd to stadium dubbing it “The Clash of the Titans Relays “

    GO Team Jamaica!

  22. Michael Murray says:
    May 21, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    JA is now dealing with the same issues the U.S. has dealt with for many years in that there is no true national team concept. There is so much money at stake that JA athletes often don’t comptete at the same meets and when they do, they are in separate events and running as a ‘complete’ rely almost never happens. The only time a relay matters to these athletes is the Penn Relays, WC, the Olympics and perhaps you can get 2-3 of the top athletes together at one other meet.

    Passing the baton will not be as much of a issue for the men as the women, JA arguably has 3 of the top 5 sprinters in the world and with that type of firepower, you can win with less than perfect handoffs. The women on the other hand has to have perfect handoffs and hope the American have less than perfect handoff. For the women, in terms of raw speed the difference is very small, but Alyson Felix can’t beat the top JA athltes in a 100m dash, but on a rely she is as fast as anyone in the world. Alyson can walksdown or run away from any legs she is matched up against; the running start Alyson gets on a rely negats her lack of a start and drive phase.

  23. Thatiam says:
    May 23, 2012 at 9:33 am

    who says allyson felix cant beat top JA athletes at 100m? she just mash up two of them in Doha. She can compete with the best of them in any category.

  24. Richard says:
    June 16, 2012 at 1:40 am

    hopefully the jamaicans will peak at the right time.

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