When may the next relay swimmer leave the platform?
B · Beginner · The event · 2 of 6The outgoing swimmer's feet must stay in contact with the starting platform until the incoming swimmer touches the wall. The swimmer may already be moving, with arms swinging and body falling forward, as long as the feet have not left. A running start from the pool deck is not allowed. An early take-off disqualifies the team.
How it works
- The rule: "Until an Athlete touches the wall to complete their quarter of the total race distance, the feet of the Athlete in the same relay team who is next in order to compete must remain in contact with the starting platform."
- From the platform: "Athletes must commence relay exchanges from the starting platform, and must not perform a running start from the pool deck."
- Moving is allowed: only the feet are judged. The rest of the body may be in motion before the touch.
- Who judges it: the turn inspector at the starting end of each lane. Where automatic equipment that judges relay take-offs is available, it is used as well.
- The control room: the supervisor checks the relay exchange printout, reports early take-offs to the referee and may review the video timing to confirm them.
- The penalty: the relay team is disqualified.
- Splits: if a team is disqualified, legal split times swum before the disqualified swimmer took part are still recorded.
Tricky cases
The outgoing swimmer is already leaning out over the water when the touch comes. Is that legal?
Yes, if their feet are still in contact with the platform at the moment of the touch.
Can a relay swimmer take a few steps along the pool deck and jump?
No. The exchange must start from the platform, and a running start from the deck is banned.
The third swimmer leaves early. Do the first two swimmers' times still count for anything?
Yes. Legal splits achieved before the swimmer who caused the disqualification took part are recorded in the results.
Does the takeover rule apply to the first swimmer?
No. The first swimmer starts on the starting signal like any individual race.
Why the rule exists
Each leg has to be a full leg. If the next swimmer could leave before the touch, the team would cover less than the distance. Judging the feet and not the whole body gives officials one clear thing to watch and lets swimmers time a rolling start up to that limit.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 10.4.4; SW 10.4.5; SW 10.5 |
| Medley relay | The first swimmer starts in the water for backstroke. The others start from the platform | SW 4.2; SW 10.4.4 |
| Individual races | Nobody may move before the starting signal | SW 4.4 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 2.3.8, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.8.8, 10.4.4, 10.4.5, 10.5 and 11.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).