For team play, relay races provide added fun for everyone!

Relays are a a blast and there are several ways to conduct them. There are "Team Floor Relays" and "Table Relays".

Relay Races can compete against:

• the clock,
• one player,
• a small group,
• a large group.

Visual Examples:

Cycle Relay
3-6-3 Relay

Relays can be:

• continuous relays with a partner
• a relay with a partner where each participant goes twice.
• competition relay teams of 4 members

For example, in a 3-6-3 Team Relay, “matches” are the best 2 out of 3 “races,”. Cycle Team relays are the best 2 out of 3 "races".

Just what is a relay race - details please?
On one carpeted table, each of two teams sets up a 3-6-3 "down stacked" on their half of the table. (A yellow piece of tape divides the table). The team members line up single file behind the starting line and facing their set of cups. An orange cone at the starting line, five feet back from the edge of the table, separates the two teams. The starting command of the Relay Manager (or one of the judges at the table) is: "Cup stackers, on your mark, get set, GO!" On the word "GO," the first stacker from each team races to the table and begins stacking. Once their stack has been completed, the stacker returns to the starting line and tags the next teammate in line who continues the race. After each player tags their teammate, they return to the end of the line. A team has finished once the fourth stacker completes his or her stack, runs back and crosses the line.

What is a match?
A "match" consists of a series of "races." A 3-6-3 Relay and the Cycle Relay are made up of the best of "2 out of 3 races."

What happens when a stacker makes a mistake?
When a stacker makes a mistake in the Team Relay Competition his or her team is assessed a point deduction. Point deductions are factored into the race results to determine the final outcome.

Explain Point Deductions - details please?
Point deductions are assessed as follows:

• False start by the lead stacker (one foot crosses the plane of the starting line before the "GO" command).
• False start by a subsequent stacker who leaves before the hand tag or the tag is missed completely. (NOTE: "leaving before the hand tag" is defined specifically as at least one foot of the next stacker breaking the plane of the starting line before the hand tag is achieved.)
• Fumbles not corrected properly.
• Proper stacking sequence not followed.
• Cups "cross" yellow dividing line when either "stacked" or "fumbled" on the table top or on the floor.
• If a cup falls, only the stacker can retrieve it. (Judges, spectators, team parent sponsors, teammates and stackers from the opposing team should not retrieve fumbled cups.)

Who wins when there are point deductions?
The "cleanest" win is when a team finishes first in the race and has no point deductions.

• If both teams have an equal amount of point deductions, the team crossing the finish line first is the race winner.
• If the team crossing the finish line first has one more point deduction than the opposing team, it is considered a tie and a rerun is necessary.
• If the team crossing the finish line first has two or more point deductions than the opposing team, the opposing team wins the race.

What is a forfeit - details please?
A forfeit of a "race" automatically occurs when a stacker or stacker's cup(s) interfere with a stacker or stacked cups from the opposing team. This includes "unintentional" interference.

Unsportsmanlike conduct of a stacker or team parent sponsor or a spectator associated with the team, including but not limited to intentional interference of either a stacker or stacker's cups on the opposing team (i.e. disrespectful treatment of any equipment or persons involved in a match) constitutes a forfeit of that "race" on the first offense.

A second incident constitutes a forfeit of that "match" and a third instance disqualifies the team from the remaining tournament events, including any awards earned.

Unsportsmanlike conduct of spectators will not be tolerated as well. If, in the opinion of a Timer, Judge, Relay Manager, Gym Manager or the Tournament Director, a spectator is physically or verbally disrespectful of any equipment or person, they will be asked politely to stop. If the unsportsmanlike conduct continues, the spectator will be required to leave the competition area.

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