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Swim
Etiquette
Although
swimming may seem like an individual sport, it is really a
team effort. This is most true when we practice. A practice
session is the time when the most amount of people are in
the pool and swimming at the same time. With all these
bodies in the water, it is very important that you respect
your fellow swimmers. Overall, it's important to remember
that we are a team, doing a team workout.
There are many different skill level lanes from which to
choose and the coaches do an amazing job of varying the sets
throughout the workout. Its important that everyone
participates in the same workout for the benefit of all team
members. Some sets allow for more flexibility in the workout
and some do not. If you would like to modify a particular
set to fit your personal training please be sure to ask the
coach first. If the coach gives you the OK then tell your
lane mates what you will be doing. But, if the coach says
"No" to your request, please respect his judgement and
participate in the set as given by the coach.
Following are some more general points
you should remember to make sure that everyone gets the most
out of every practice!
Communication
-
Learn the
names of your lanemates. You are going to be with these
people in very close quarters, with practically no
clothes on, with hearts racing for the next 60 minutes.
Aren't you curious what their names are?
-
Understand the interval (speed) for the lane. Does
everyone understand? Are you in the right lane? Are you
ordered from fastest to slowest?
-
Never
begin any set until everybody in the lane understands it
(particularly drill sets). The extra amount of time
spent to communicate the set and interval pace to the
entire lane is a good investment of your time.
-
Whenever
possible, communicate to your lanemates if you plan to
do anything "different" in the set. This includes
switching to another stroke than the set designates,
putting on fins, switching to kicking only, warming down
in the middle of the set, sitting out an interval, or
even getting out of the pool.
-
On long
swims where lapping is likely to occur, communicate with
each other what the passing procedure will be.
Be
Responsible & Aware
-
Never assume that the first person in
the lane knows what is going on. They may be having a
bad day.
-
Take responsibility for counting, you
can do it, allow yourself to believe it!
-
Watch the pace clock and stay in your
send off spot throughout the set (5 seconds behind the
swimmer in front of you).
-
Be aware of what is happening in your
lane. Where are the other swimmers? Are you holding
people up? Are you running people over? Is there
somebody right behind you as you are coming off the
wall?
-
If you have trouble seeing the clock,
figure out how to see it. Prescription goggles, contacts
under your goggles, small pace clocks next to your lane,
synchronizing your wrist watch, there are lots of
options.
-
If you arrive late to the workout,
take responsibility for joining practice without
disrupting your teammates. Ask the coach and learn
what's going on before you get into the water. Try to do
your warm up in another lane before you join the set.
Encourage & Acknowledge
-
Its fun and motivating to hear
positive encouragement coming from your team mates. A
small "lets go" can be just the positive boost your lane
mates need in the middle of a long difficult set.
-
Acknowledge each other. Is somebody
in your lane having an exceptional day? Let them know!
-
Acknowledge your teamwork. "Go
Grunions!," is always nice to hear. "We're awesome,"
with high fives all around is a great motivator and gets
your energy levels up! "Lets celebrate with a latte…"
gives you something to look forward to!
Traffic Patterns
-
The traffic pattern is quite simple
when only two people are swimming in a lane. One person
swims on the left side of the lane, the other swims on
the right side.
-
When swimming in a lane with more
than two people, a different organization is required.
The most common pattern is to swim single file in a
counterclockwise circle, the "Circle Pattern." This
pattern is similar to our normal driving pattern, making
a u-turn at each wall.
-
Swimmers should start their sets 5
seconds apart, with the fastest swimmer in the lane
going first, the second fastest going second and so
forth. Keep your eyes open, and stay on your side of the
lane to avoid collisions. When you wish to pass someone,
tickle or tap them on the foot and wait until they reach
the wall before you attempt to pass. The swimmer who is
being passed should stop at the wall and allow you to
pass.
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