Hello Ballpeen,
A 3 phase winding is a coil collection strategic connected in simetry in order to create a 3 phase magnetic field-
Each phase is conformed of Groups and each group is formed by unitary coils connected between one to others.
So one 36 Slots 4 pole motor with lap winding would have 12 groups of three coils per group, taking this start point the winder man most to built in the winding machine 12 groups of three coils each one this is 12 G x 3 Coils/G = 36 Coils.
Each group is mounted in the stator and when all groups are mounted you will have to distribute 12 groups in 3 phases so each phase will have 4 Groups and the motor need to be connected, and each group end is called start(A ) and finish (A´) normally the starts are the wires located in the external stator periferia and the finish the wires located in the internal diameter, in this order of ideas to finalize the job the winder man needs to know what connection perform. Lets assume the connection is one star/delta , so all 4 group of each phase most be connected in serie, but the connection most be produce the appropiate magnetic poles, so for the 4 pole motor the winder man neeeds to connect the first group finish with second group finish and the second group start with the third group start and the third group finish with the fourth group finish and do the same for the other two phases so the twelve groups are converted in three series finally the six lead are conected to the start and end of each serials and labelled from 1 to 6 to perform externals star or delta connections.
So with the ohmeter you can detrmine nothing to conclude wich is start or finish, this labor only could donne inside of the winding and when the stator is in rewindding jobs.With the ohmeter you can check continuity and take phase resistance readings for small motors.
Note if the connection between groups are wrong the stator will be wrong connected and not develop the correct agnetic field. For check this possible failure some shop use polarity test that consist in to apply low DC Voltage to the motor´s leads in order to produce check the magnetic field prior to varnish stage.
I hope this could help you
Regards
Petronila