Swimming guide
Swimming relays explained
A swimming relay is a team race in which four swimmers each swim one leg, and the team's time is when the last swimmer touches the wall. In a medley relay the order is backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. The next swimmer may not leave the block before the teammate touches the wall.
What is a swimming relay?
A relay is a team race. In standard swimming rules, four swimmers from the same team each swim one leg of the race, and the team's finishing time is the time when the last swimmer touches the wall. Relays are often the loudest and most exciting events of a meet, because every swimmer is cheering for a teammate.
Relay distances and age groups vary by league, so check your meet information to see which relays are offered and who may swim them.
The two main types
| Type | Who swims what | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Freestyle relay | All four swimmers swim freestyle. | The coach chooses the order. |
| Medley relay | Each swimmer swims a different stroke. | Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, then freestyle. |
The medley relay order is different from the individual medley, where one swimmer swims butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, then freestyle. It is a classic point of confusion, so remember that in the medley relay the backstroker goes first because backstroke starts in the water. For an overview of the strokes, see swimming strokes and events explained.
Starts and exchanges
The first swimmer starts like in an individual race, from the block (or in the water for backstroke). After that, the next swimmer waits on the block or at the wall for the teammate to finish the leg. In standard rules, the next swimmer may not leave the block until the teammate touches the wall. If the swimmer leaves too early, the relay can be disqualified. This is called an early takeoff, and it is one of the most common relay mistakes.
Because swimmers after the first one begin a moving start, they are allowed to swing their arms and prepare as the teammate approaches. Coaches practice this timing so that swimmers feel confident. Officials called takeoff judges often watch the exchange at big meets, and some pools use electronic touchpads that detect early takeoffs. How closely an exchange is judged varies by meet.
The key points are:
- The incoming swimmer finishes the leg by touching the wall, using the correct touch for the stroke.
- The next swimmer stays on the block until that touch happens.
- Once the touch occurs, the next swimmer dives in and swims their stroke.
- The final swimmer's touch ends the relay and stops the clock.
How coaches pick a relay team
Coaches pick relay swimmers and order, and the reasoning is often more strategic than parents expect. A coach may consider who is fastest in a stroke, who handles exchanges well, who is rested and how many events each swimmer has that day. Leadoff swimmers may be chosen for a strong start, and the last swimmer, the anchor, is often a strong finisher. Some coaches also rotate swimmers so that more kids get a chance.
If your swimmer is not picked for a relay, it is rarely a judgment of effort. Meet rules may limit relays by age or by the number of events a swimmer can swim. Ask the coach how relay spots are decided on your team, in a calm moment away from the meet.
Tips for new relay swimmers
- Know your leg and your teammates. Practice the exchange with the same partners, if the coach allows it.
- Watch the swimmer coming toward you, and not the clock or the crowd.
- Stay behind the block's edge until the touch. When in doubt, wait a moment longer.
- Swim the correct stroke on your leg, including the finish and turns. A relay can be disqualified for a stroke violation.
- Cheer for teammates in the water. Relay spirit is a big part of why many kids love the sport.
What to ask your coach
- Which relays does our team swim at this meet?
- How do you decide who swims which leg?
- When and where should relay swimmers check in?
- Is there a limit on how many relays one swimmer can swim?
For help with relay-related rules and common DQs, see swimming disqualifications and common violations. For an overview of the basics, read swimming rules for beginners.
Why relays are worth the excitement
For many young swimmers, relays are the first time swimming feels like a team sport. A swimmer who is nervous about an individual race often feels braver when three teammates are counting on them and cheering them on. Relays also teach useful habits: listening, timing, trust and handling the feeling of being watched. Even a relay that ends in a disqualification can become a good team story when the coach and parents respond calmly.
Try not to assign blame after a relay DQ. An early takeoff or a missed touch is a team learning moment, and the swimmer who made the mistake already knows it. A hug and a snack go further than an explanation. The coach will usually cover the technique in the next practice, with the whole group working on exchanges together.
Many teams also run fun relay races in practice, including mixed-age or mixed-ability teams, and some meets use "fun relays" for newer swimmers. Those events are a gentle way to learn the exchange without the pressure of a championship swim. If your team offers them, encourage your swimmer to try one.
Relay vocabulary
- Leadoff
- The first swimmer in a relay, who starts the race from a standing dive or in the water for backstroke.
- Anchor
- The last swimmer in a relay, whose touch stops the clock for the team.
- Exchange
- The moment when one relay swimmer finishes a leg and the next swimmer takes over.
- Relay takeoff
- The next swimmer's dive into the pool after the teammate has touched the wall.
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Sources and further reading
- 2024 Rulebook (PDF) USA Swimming
- Situations and Resolutions: Stroke and Turn USA Swimming
- World Aquatics Competition Regulations World Aquatics
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Frequently asked questions
How many swimmers are on a swim relay team?
In standard rules, a relay has four swimmers, each swimming one leg. Check your league, since some youth meets offer other formats.
What is the order of a medley relay?
In standard rules the order is backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, then freestyle. It differs from the individual medley, which starts with butterfly.
What is an early takeoff in swimming?
It happens when the next relay swimmer leaves the block before the teammate in the water touches the wall. It can cause a disqualification.
Who decides the relay order?
The coach chooses relay swimmers and the order, based on strokes, speed, exchanges and the meet's rules.
Can a swimmer swim more than one relay?
Often yes, but limits vary by meet and league. Ask your coach what the rules are for your meet.