Relay Team Selection
Team relay events are especially fun because four swimmers get to work together as a team. There are two kinds of relays:
- Freestyle Relays in which each swimmer swims a freestyle leg (either 25 or 50 yards depending on age)
- Medley Relays in which each swimmer swims a different stroke (either 25 or 50 yards depending on age) in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
Swimmers are automatically selected for relays by meet manager software based on which swimmers in each age group have the fastest times. Each team may swim several relay groups with the fastest group called the A group, second fastest called the B group followed by the C group. Swimmers may move from one group to another if another swimmer swims a faster time (for a particular stroke) in an individual event during the previous meet. Swim times determine relay groups - not coaches.
Relays are a very fun event to participate in. However, if one swimmer of a relay group is not present, three other swimmers are disappointed when the relay is unable to swim. It is very important that all swimmers on a relay team make it to the meets. Your fellow swimmers are counting on you!
