Anonymous wrote:

Yes, I think our MCSL team typically decides during the meet. I believe it's generally (always?) the two fastest freestyle times that day. And yes, I have seen (though rarely) teams are combined with some of the fastest swimmers in one lane, and some in the other.

I'll add that there are no names on the heat sheet in advance for the relays.

Anonymous wrote:I haven't heard of a summer team changing a relay as the meet is happening. I'd think that's not only bad for morale, as a poster pointed out above, but also poor sportsmanship. You're not allowed to sub in a faster swimmer last minute, and though this might not break the letter of the rule, since the faster time isn't official until the meet is over, it certainly breaks the spirit!

We are in the NVSL and this is not a relay rule.

You can only sub in for a relay if a swimmer is leaving the meet or is sick.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I don’t know what the official policy is because what coach says goes!

Relay cards are completed at the meet not at roster exchange for us (MCSL).

The end of meet relay is determined during the meet (by whatever the deadline is) and sometimes involves strategy of “splitting the relay” so that more points can be won by getting 1st/2nd over 1st/3rd.

I am also a long time swim parent and have never heard the term ladder?

Yes, I think our MCSL team typically decides during the meet. I believe it's generally (always?) the two fastest freestyle times that day. And yes, I have seen (though rarely) teams are combined with some of the fastest swimmers in one lane, and some in the other.

Our team is more likely to use best times vs that day’s fastest times, but it’s typically the same kids swapping A/B relay. Also, if one of the fastest kids happens to not swim free that week, they aren’t necessarily excluded.

Anonymous wrote:So, I don’t know what the official policy is because what coach says goes!

Relay cards are completed at the meet not at roster exchange for us (MCSL).

The end of meet relay is determined during the meet (by whatever the deadline is) and sometimes involves strategy of “splitting the relay” so that more points can be won by getting 1st/2nd over 1st/3rd.

I am also a long time swim parent and have never heard the term ladder?

Meaning that yes, today’s free results affect who swims on the free relay.

I’ve had my kid not put on at divisionals, even though they had the fastest best time. The other kid was just swimming better that day, that’s what coach thought was the best strategy. My kid (11 at the time) understood and cheered loudly.

Anonymous wrote:So, I don’t know what the official policy is because what coach says goes!

Relay cards are completed at the meet not at roster exchange for us (MCSL).

The end of meet relay is determined during the meet (by whatever the deadline is) and sometimes involves strategy of “splitting the relay” so that more points can be won by getting 1st/2nd over 1st/3rd.

I am also a long time swim parent and have never heard the term ladder?

Yes, I think our MCSL team typically decides during the meet. I believe it's generally (always?) the two fastest freestyle times that day. And yes, I have seen (though rarely) teams are combined with some of the fastest swimmers in one lane, and some in the other.

So, I don’t know what the official policy is because what coach says goes!

Relay cards are completed at the meet not at roster exchange for us (MCSL).

The end of meet relay is determined during the meet (by whatever the deadline is) and sometimes involves strategy of “splitting the relay” so that more points can be won by getting 1st/2nd over 1st/3rd.

I am also a long time swim parent and have never heard the term ladder?

As everyone said, up you use the ladder and you never change it after the heat sheet is released. The only reason to change it is if a swimmer is sick but never to put in a faster swimmer.

Our relay teams are based strictly on the ladder, as it stands the Wednesday or Thursday before the meet when our coach puts them together (rosters are exchanged with the other team on Thursday night, and the heat sheet is released that night or Friday morning so barring illness no changes can be made after that and even then only a slower swimmer can be swapped in). Nothing that happens the day of the meet changes the relay lineups for that week.

Ladder based on the most recent meet, ie the previous B meet. No drama. Our meet sheet is posted by Thursday including relays.

We never change once the meet sheet is swapped unless someone doesn’t show up. Heck, for some ages we don’t have enough swimmers or have just enough to form a relay.

What if a kid goes faster in 50 free than the kid in the mixed age, but the mixed age kid wasn't swimming the 50 free that morning? That seems really unfair.

I haven't heard of a summer team changing a relay as the meet is happening. I'd think that's not only bad for morale, as a poster pointed out above, but also poor sportsmanship. You're not allowed to sub in a faster swimmer last minute, and though this might not break the letter of the rule, since the faster time isn't official until the meet is over, it certainly breaks the spirit!

We also use the ladder and I think that’s fair (and my kid is not swimming, ha). They know now who is swimming the relay on Sat. Next week it could change based on times swam on Saturday but it won’t change who swims the relays that day.

use the ladder. Use the ladder use the ladder.

I don't understand when a kid gets bumped out the day of the meet, and their whole team knows it and they are mortified. Ask yourselves if winning is really worth it.

our team uses the ladder, but occasionally will say "so and so " is faster at a 25 and switches it up. If they want to do that, they should have 25 at time trials or during a determined practice.

My son went thru this in 2019 and always made the relay, but he almost quit over what was supposed to be fun summer swim turning into this uber competitive stuff

Our team is struggling to create a fair relay policy (i.e. fastest swim of the day vs. fastest swim overall). The term “coaches discretion” has also been thrown around, but ultimately we want all swimmers and parents to understand the policy without upsetting swimmers or causing disappointment or surprise.

Please share your successful relay policy! Thx.