In the late forties and early fifties, the exchange rule for the 4x220 yard relay read as follows: In the half mile relay the starting lanes of each competitor shall be reversed from inside to outside at each exchange except in those sectionals where special arrangement had been made and part or all the tracks had been marked in lanes.

Since the IHSAA State Meet was not completely lined (just the 220 yard straight away) runner were started on an even line across the track and to make it fair to all the exchanges were made by crossing from outside to inside and vice versa it (starting lane 1 would pass in lane 8, 2 to 7 and etc.), second and third exchanges in same manner. This was to make the distance equal.  What confusion around the first curve and at each exchange.

In 1955 the rule was updated to state that the start shall be staggered, and the first exchange would be made in same lane as starting and other exchange (2 and 3) would be received from inside to outside. Again, what confusion.

This was used from 1947 – 1950 and as I remember may have been used in 1956 due to heavy rain washing out lines. Watch the attached video showing the inside to outside (cress cross) exchanges.

1956 Half Mile Relay

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