How does a short track relay work?
I · Intermediate · Infringements, relays and results · 4 of 4A relay team has four skaters racing, who change over by touch, usually a push from behind. Changes can come at any time except the last two laps, which one skater must skate. The 2000 m mixed relay has two women and two men, changing in a fixed order: woman, woman, man, man. Resting skaters stay inside the track.
How it works
- Team: four skaters in each race; up to five named at championships.
- Exchange: by touch; straight forward, without changing lanes.
- Last two laps: one skater; the last exchange before the first block of that corner.
- Warning shot: for the last three laps.
- Fall in the last two laps: the skater may be relayed.
- Inactive skaters: inside the curves, out of the racing path.
- Mixed relay: 2000 m; 2.5-lap then 2-lap segments; woman, woman, man, man.
- Infringements: a non-touch exchange or an exchange in the last two laps.
The glossary has the relay exchange, the mixed team relay, the relay, the team racing, the assistance and the crossover.
Tricky cases
Is the relay push "assistance"?
No. The push from a teammate in a relay is allowed.
A man falls in the last corner before a woman is due to take over. Who covers?
The woman can take the relay and carry on.
Can a team substitute between rounds?
Names are given 10 minutes before each round; a substitution is also allowed in a restart.
Must all skaters be from one nation?
Yes, unless the ISU approves mixed-nation teams at a specified event.
Why the rule exists
Exchanging by touch keeps the race a single chain. Banning late changes makes the anchor skater finish the race alone.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women's relay | 3000 m | ISU 284 (2)(c) |
| Men's relay | 5000 m | ISU 284 (2)(c) |
| Mixed team relay | 2000 m, fixed order | ISU 295 (3)(m) to (t) |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Short Track (as of 12 June 2026), rules 284 and 295 (3), (4). Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the ISU Sports Rules and the season's Guidance.