› Swim Practice Etiquette

by Bob Bruce, Fresh Air Sports Coach

Our swim team here in Bend, Oregon has grown enormously. We have enthusiastically greeted newcomers regardless of their swimming backgrounds or achievement, and have welcomed them to the opportunities & fellowship that our team provides. But we have also discovered that our practice lanes have become much more crowded than before, often to the point of discomfort. I think it timely for me to review the points of etiquette that allow practices to flow smoothly

Etiquette in life allows people to live and associate in close quarters with a minimum of interpersonal friction. Etiquette during practice allows swimmers of different abilities, achievements, and goals to train together harmoniously. In our practices, appropriate etiquette is a requirement, not an option.

Practice etiquette is based on respect for each other, open communication among each other, and time-tested forms of common behavior towards one another. In my view, it is a way of creating both space (literal and figurative) and a positive environment in which we all may be able to pursue our individual goals in a group setting.

I have included Points of Practice Etiquette on the following page, and I have listed the official statement of our local parks and recreation pool, Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, Lap Swim Rules and Etiquette below.

Lap Swim Rules & Etiquette*

*These rules may be different in your local pool – take the time to find out if there are published rules so you are familiar with them!

1. All swimmers, young and old alike, are encouraged to swim laps provided that they follow our lap swimming patterns and etiquette.
2. Lanes are marked Fast, Medium, and Slow. Choose a lane appropriate to your speed, relative to others in the pool.
3. Enter the water by climbing or jumping in. Never dive in shallow water or in a crowded lane.
4. Circle swim in the lane (down one side and back on the other) to avoid collisions.
   A. In single lanes, circle swim counterclockwise, always keeing to the right.
   B. In double lanes (indoor pools only), swim shallow-to-deep next to the floating lane markers and deep-to-shallow in the middle of the lane.
5. Swim consistently. Avoid sudden speed changes or side-to-side wandering.
6. Pass a slower swimmer at the end of the pool when possible. If you need to pass in the middle of the pool, pass to the left after checking to see that the way is clear. (If you find yourself passing or being passed often, you or others may be in the wrong speed lane).
7. Stop at the end of your lane, never in the middle. If you need to rest, move completely out of the way of the other swimmers.
8. When you finish your swim, get out of the lane so that others may enter or swim unimpeded.

Points of Swim Practice Etiquette

• Swim in the appropriate speed lane; when in doubt, consult with the coach.
• Learn the names of other swimmers in your lane; introduce yourself if necessary.
• Never change the practice content without permission from the coach.
• If the coach permits a modification of practice content, confer with your lane-mates before the change.
• Learn to read the pace clock consistently and accurately.
• Know the interval, stay on it, and help others stay on it.
• Never change the interval without permission from the coach.
• If the coach permits a change of interval, confer with your lane-mates before the change.
• Count lengths, and stop at the appropriate number.
• Count repeats, and stop at the appropriate number.
• Know your times.
• Swim in the proper order, fastest to slowest.
• Take no longer than 30 seconds to negotiate proper order.
• Change order when needed; avoid swimming on the feet of others.
• Change lanes—faster or slower—when needed.
• Give the slowest swimmer in the lane appropriate rest.
• Leave at 5 seconds apart (10 seconds apart when feasible) unless the coach specifies otherwise.
• Swim on the right side of the lane.
• Turn in the middle of the lane.
• Finish swims at the wall, then move to the left to allow others to finish.
• Be aware of the positions of others in your lane.
• When you are about to be passed, stop at the wall and let others pass.
• Never push off right in front of a turning swimmer who is faster.
• Be aware of your oral hygiene, and never breathe on others at the wall.
• Speak and act positively; never whine or make negative comments.
• Treat your teammates as the treasures that they are.
• Treat your coach as the deity that he or she is.