The players from each team are ranked, with the number-one seeds playing each other, twos playing each other, and so on. Although the rankings can change on a weekly basis, it is rare for a coach to manipulate the playing order to improve his odds of winning.
A team sends six athletes to compete in each event, with the top five scorers counting toward the team score. Occasionally, a seventh gymnast will participate as an exhibitionist, although her score does not count toward the team or individual rankings.
Each team plays nine players in a match. The players match up to their corresponding rank on the other team with the even ranked players competing first, followed by the odd. Nine points wins a game, and the first player to secure three games wins the match.
A collegiate fencing match is split into three divisions, with three fencers assigned to each division. Each of these three divisions corresponds with a different weapon, and each contestant in a given division fences against every opponent in that division to make for a total of up to 27 bouts.
Swimmers compete in four strokes. Freestyle is generally the fastest, followed by Butterfly or Backstroke, and Breaststroke is the slowest.
Get Ready, Get Set… Runners are organized by team when they come to the starting line. Each team gets a “box” in which to organize its runners in a specific order — not all of the athletes fit on the front line.
