One of the most enjoyable headaches of coaching club swimming is setting a relay order. Get it right and the team looks like a well-oiled machine; get it wrong and you can lose more than a few tenths — sometimes the race. Over the years with Bishopsworth squads, I’ve tested plenty of orders, argued with parents and swimmers, and learned a few reliable rules that I now use every time I pick a four-person relay.
Why relay order matters (more than you think)
People often assume relays are just about putting your four fastest swimmers together. That’s the baseline, but order influences starts, momentum, psychological pressure and the distribution of risk. A flying second leg can claw back a lead; a rock-solid anchor can close the door when it counts. I always start with a clear idea of what I want the team to do: get a fast start, maintain position, or come from behind. That goal shapes the order.
Key attributes I consider when placing swimmers
- Flat-start vs relay-start ability: Some swimmers explode from a dive but are weaker on rolling starts, and vice versa.
- Consistency: A swimmer who hits their split within a narrow band under pressure is invaluable.
- Psychological make-up: Who thrives under pressure? Who freezes? Anchors need composure.
- Turn and underwaters: In short-course relays, underwater quality can make or break a leg.
- Stroke block strengths: For medley relays, you must consider transition compatibility (e.g., strong breast-to-free transition).
- Exchange timing: Teams with practiced exchanges can risk earlier takeoffs for time gains; inexperienced teams should be conservative.
Classic orders and when I use them
There are a few classic templates I return to, depending on the race and squad makeup. I’ll explain each and give the reasoning I use when selecting swimmers.
| Template | Order | When I use it |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-out aggressor | Strong starter — middle steady — middle steady — fastest anchor | When I want to seize early momentum and have a clinical closer. |
| Anchor-heavy | Consistent starter — two steady legs — fastest anchor | When the anchor is a proven overtaker and we expect to be trailing or very close. |
| Even-keeled | Second-best — third-best — fourth-best — best | Useful for youth teams where consistency beats volatility. |
| Big middle | Consistent starter — strongest two middle legs — steady anchor | When the middle legs can build a gap or recover from a slow start. |
How I choose the leadoff
The leadoff must be comfortable on a flat start and able to handle the pressure of touching first for takeovers. I often pick a swimmer who is not necessarily the absolute fastest, but one who reliably produces a near-season-best when racing. A great leadoff sets the tempo and reduces the risk of a chaotic exchange from behind.
Middle legs: steady hands vs momentum builders
The 2nd and 3rd legs are where strategy and matchup thinking come into play. If an opponent has a monster swimmer in their middle, I may counter with my two most aggressive relay-start swimmers to try and nullify the advantage. Alternatively, for younger or less experienced relays, I favour two consistent performers who rarely have a blow-up. A 1.5–2.0 second variation between a swimmer’s best and worst split is a warning sign — consistency is worth tenths in relays.
The anchor: speed, nerves and race IQ
Anchors need closing speed and composure. I like an anchor who can handle a variety of situations: extending a lead, holding a small gap, or chasing down an opponent. Race IQ matters a lot — a swimmer who paces poorly as an anchor can waste a big advantage. When I have an exceptional anchor who thrives under pressure, I’ll sometimes deliberately put them last even if they’re not the fastest on paper, because the psychological benefit and tactical instincts are game-changers.
Medley relay specifics
In medley relays the interplay of stroke order adds complexity. I look at transitions — how comfortably our backstroker finishes, whether the breaststroker’s pullout is reliable, and how the butterfly leg handles the black line approach. I also consider relative stroke depth: if our breaststroker is weaker, having an outstanding fly-to-back handover on the scoreboard helps the team mentally compensate.
Exchange strategy and practice
Relays win and lose on exchanges. I coach three basic exchange styles and when to use them:
- Conservative: Foot on block until touch — use when exchange practice is limited or in high-stakes finals where DQ risk is unacceptable.
- Timed/controlled: Takeoff with a consistent visual cue, practiced to a fixed offset — the best balance for club teams.
- Risk-taking: Aggressive early takeoffs measured in hundredths — reserved for highly practiced squads with split-second coordination.
We spend part of warm-ups simulating relay exchanges, and I make the takeoff plan clear: who leads by visual cue, who counts, and how we adapt if someone misses. A swimmer who tends to jump early might be moved to a middle leg where the team can absorb tiny variance more easily than a leadoff or anchor.
Common questions I get from parents and swimmers
- “Why wasn’t my fastest swimmer last?” Sometimes the fastest swimmer’s flat-start is poor, or they struggle with finishes. Placing them where their strengths are maximized helps the whole team.
- “Can swapping order between heats and finals help?” Absolutely. I often save a different order for finals — perhaps moving a reliable swimmer up to secure a lead, or swapping in a fresher athlete for an explosive second leg.
- “How much does psychology matter?” A lot. I’ve seen teams lift themselves after a confident leadoff, and I’ve watched an anxious anchor lose a race they could have won. I speak with swimmers about role expectations so they know what to focus on.
Practical checklist before you finalise an order
- Compare recent relay splits (not just PBs) and check variation under pressure.
- Confirm flat-start vs relay-start strengths with each swimmer.
- Decide exchange risk level and rehearse it at warm-up.
- Consider psychological fit — who enjoys the role and who hates it?
- Plan a backup order in case someone withdraws or gets sick.
At Bishopsworth, the best relay orders come from open conversation: I invite swimmers to share how they feel about roles, run time trials when needed, and sometimes let the team vote if it helps ownership. Relays are as much about culture and confidence as they are about seconds. The moment a swimmer trusts their teammates and their role, you often see faster times immediately — and those are the wins I chase.
