Overview

 When races are close, tactics and strategy can be the difference between winning and losing. By understanding a few basic tactics, athletes have a better chance of ending up on the winning end.

 How X-C races are scored

 In ACAC championship races, x-c team scoring is based on the top 4 individual results out of 6 designated runners. The place numbers of the top 4 finishers are added together for a team score. The team with the lowest total score is declared the winner.

 For example, if Team A's top 4 runners place 2^nd, 10^th, 15^th, and 20^th, and Team B's runners placed 5^th, 12^th, 13^th, and 18^th, then Team A would score 58 points (2+10+15+31) and Team B would score 59 points (5+6+16+32). Team A would be the winner.

 In the case of tie, the tiebreaker is the team's 4^th place scorer. For example, in the above example, if Team A and Team B both had tied at 59 points, Team A would have been declared the winner because its 4^th place scorer finished ahead of Team B's 4^th place scorer (i.e. 31^st vs. 32^nd.)

 It should be noted that a team's 5^th and 6^th members can also impact the team scoring result by "displacing" an opposing team's 4^th scorer. For example, if Team A's 5^th runner had out sprinted Team B's 4^th runner for 32^nd place, then Team B would end up with 60 points (5+6+16+33) rather than 59. In effect, the 5^th place Team A runner "displaces" the 4^th place Team B runner and adds a point to Team B's total. In a close team race, the 5^th and 6^th place team members can make a difference. 

 Specific Pointers

 
• Know the course. Being mentally prepared for an uphill, downhill or rough section will allow the athlete to select the proper tactic to deal with the course. The athlete should always walk or jog through the course prior to the competition and plan his or her race strategy.
• Run the first 100 to 200m aggressively, then relax. By establishing a position close to the front at the start of a race, the athlete avoids wasting energy "fighting traffic." On the other hand, trying to sustain too fast a pace for too long a time early in a race will result in excessive lactic acid build up and the inevitable slow down. Thus, it is important to relax and settle into a comfortable and sustainable pace soon after the initially establishing a position. 
• Get in front before rough or narrow sections. Some athletes are better than others in coping with rough or narrow sections. If a runner gets stuck behind another runner who is less able to cope with tough terrain, then the trailing runner runs the risk of losing contact with the pack in front of the poorly coping runner. 
• Trailing is usually easier than leading. Generally speaking, it is less difficult both physically and mentally to let someone else set the pace. Unless the athlete knows that he or she is faster than the runner in front of him or her, it is usually better to follow rather than attempt to lead. 
• Use your teammates for pacing. Sharing the pacing/leading duties between teammates usually helps all team members. When possible, athletes should attempt to run in a team pack and help each other out. 

• Run hard for 50 to 100m beyond the top of a hill. Most runners will "let up" at the top of a major hill. By sustaining effort for an additional 20 to 30 seconds beyond the top of a hill, the athlete can often run away or "gap" a runner who has been trailing them for a period of time. 
• Know the finish. X-C finishes are not always conducive to long, sustained sprints. Sudden corners or rough patches in the last 100m of races can thwart come-from-behind tactics. In warm up, the athlete should run over the last part of the course two or three times and carefully note any obstacles to the last minute sprint. 
• In x-c running, time is irrelevant. X-C courses vary a great deal. This is due to a number of factors including terrain, measurement accuracy, and weather conditions. Split times for set distances should not be used for pacing . Instead, position of teammates and key competitors should be the criterion used to gauge progress. 
• Remember, every place counts!! Beating the person in front of you to the finish line can and does affect the team score - even if you are not within the top four scorers. (See the above discussion on scoring.)