Relays are the ultimate display of teamwork towards a common goal in swimming competition. The technical rules for relays are found in Article 101.7 of the rulebook.

There are two types of relays, the freestyle relay and the medley relay. There are four swimmers in each relay who swim one fourth of the distance of the event. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event.

The freestyle relay has all four team members swimming freestyle. Each leg of the race is conducted under the technical rules of freestyle.

In the medley relay, the four swimmers each take on a different stroke, with the first athlete swimming backstroke, the second breaststroke, the third butterfly and the final athlete swimming freestyle.

The technical and finish rules for each stroke apply. As in the Individual Medley, the freestyle leg cannot be swum in the style of backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.

In addition to these rules, officials are responsible for judging relay takeoffs. The key to relay takeoffs is to watch the feet of the swimmer on the block.

When the feet of the swimmer on the block lose contact with the starting platform, look down to see if the incoming swimmer has touched the wall. If the swimmer has not touched yet, then the takeoff is early, and that is a violation.

Unlike other infractions, relay takeoffs may be confirmed by two officials. In that case, you don’t need to raise your hand, but make a note on a relay take-off slip.

More about relay take-off slips explained later.

In the freestyle relay, the observation techniques are the same as for the individual freestyle race.

For the relay takeoff, watch the feet of the swimmer on the block. When both feet lose contact with the starting block, look down to see if the incoming swimmer has touched.

Each relay team member shall leave the water immediately upon finishing their leg, except the last member.

Remember, if there is any question about what you have observed, then the benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer.