Imagine you get to arrange four swimmers into a freestyle relay team. They are within ~10% difference when it comes to times.
Would you do the most popular arrangement?
1st leg - 2nd fastest swimmer
2nd leg - 3rd fastest swimmer
3rd leg - slowest swimmer
4th leg - fastest swimmer
...or a different one? Would you consider other factors besides speed such as personality, experience, etc.? Does it make a difference if it is 4x50 or 4x200?
So what order would you put them in?
Several thoughts...
On our Masters team, there is often a fight for 1st so the swimmer can get a lead-off split.
If you are not in a tight race for 1st or any other place, the order shouldn't matter. If everyone does their time, the total will be the same.
If it is a real race, personality and determination make a huge difference. Some people are such relay competitors that their best times are always on a relay.
On the other hand, some Masters are sensitive about being the slowest and don't want to be 1st or last so it is not so obvious if they are slower.
Several thoughts...
On our Masters team, there is often a fight for 1st so the swimmer can get a lead-off split.
If you are not in a tight race for 1st or any other place, the order shouldn't matter. If everyone does their time, the total will be the same.
If it is a real race, personality and determination make a huge difference. Some people are such relay competitors that their best times are always on a relay.
On the other hand, some Masters are sensitive about being the slowest and don't want to be 1st or last so it is not so obvious if they are slower.
