In what order are the strokes swum in a medley relay?
B · Beginner · The event · 3 of 6In a medley relay four swimmers each swim one stroke for a quarter of the distance, in the order backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. The race starts in the water, because backstroke is first. Each swimmer must swim and finish their leg under the rules of their stroke.
How it works
- The order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. The rule lists them in that order.
- Equal shares: each stroke is one quarter of the total distance.
- The start: "The start in Backstroke races and Medley relay races will be in the water."
- The other three: start from the platform as each incoming swimmer touches.
- Finishing a leg: the backstroker touches on the back. The breaststroker and the butterfly swimmer touch with both hands at the same time.
- The last leg: freestyle here means any style except backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly.
- Mixed medley relay: two men and two women. The team chooses who swims which stroke.
Tricky cases
Is the order the same as in the individual medley?
No. The individual medley is butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle. The relay is backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.
In a mixed medley relay, must the men swim particular strokes?
No. The rule sets the number of men and women, not which legs they swim.
Can the freestyle swimmer in a medley relay swim butterfly?
No. In a medley relay freestyle means any style other than the other three strokes.
The backstroker rolls onto the front a stroke before touching at the end of their leg. Is that legal?
No. Their leg must finish under the backstroke rule, with a touch while on the back.
Why the rule exists
The order differs from the individual medley for a practical reason. Backstroke starts in the water, and a swimmer cannot start in the water at a wall where a team-mate is finishing. Putting backstroke first means the only in-water start is at the beginning.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 9.2 to 9.4; SW 4.2 |
| Individual medley | Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle | SW 9.1 |
| 25 m pools | A 4 x 50 m medley relay is also swum | SW 1.4 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 4.2, 5.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 and 10.4.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).