PaceSetter Book

Sustained Activities 7

7.4.3 Allocating Handicaps The tables in 7.4.2 should be used as a guideline for fixing handicaps at the start of a season’s programme or when a new member joins. Should a regular programme of handicapped races be established then the following tips may be useful: • Award points for each race to the first six places. • Apply penalties to the first three in the race according to their finishing positions (For example, 15 metres, 10 metres and 5 metres). • The coach can use discretion as to whether anyone is moved forward for the next race but be alert to anyone working his or her handicap. • Have a special set of pre-marked cones to set alongside the starting positions of each young athlete. 7.4.4 Handicapping by Staggered Starting Times The expected performance of the weakest competitor is used as a datum to determine the scratch position and the competitors are lined up in file behind this member in order of their ability. The timekeeper starts the watch as the first runner starts and all the following runners are set off in turn at the time estimated for them to catch the leader. The same watch can be used to record finishing times and actual times are calculated by subtracting the handicap start time. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE WEB COPY ©EVEQUE For example, consider a number of young athletes taking part in a race over a distance of 1500 metres. Name Estimated Performance Handicap in seconds Jane Mary Anne 5 min 15 sec 5 min 7 sec 5 min 1 sec 4 min 55 sec 4 min 48 sec 4 min 42 sec 4 min 35 sec 0 secs 8 secs 14 secs 20 secs 27 secs 33 secs 40 secs Julie Kathy Beth Diane As the programme progresses through the season the coach will develop a sound idea as to the correct handicap for each young athlete and may be pleasantly surprised by the improvement made by the less talented group members. Again a points system can be incorporated and the handicaps adjusted by the coach as the season progresses.

144