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Tactics for 4 x 400m Relay

• The first runner must realize that the stagger is set for 3 turns.  Thus, he or she must not become disconcerted by the supposed appearance of athletes in the outside lanes holding substantial leads.
• The second runner must be aggressive and committed to moving ahead or maintaining a good position.
• Both the third and fourth runner must be willing to hold strong to their positions at the beginning of the exchange zone.  They must also "make space" so as to not be pushed out of position.
• The third runner must attempt to set up the anchor runner for good race position in which he or she can perform their best.
• The anchor runner need not always be the fastest of the group, but rather the athlete who will run the best and most aggressive last leg.  All four runner must be strategically placed and properly balanced in effort to ultimately yield the finest team result.

Source:  USA Track & Field Level 1 Curriculum