Lap Swimming Etiquette
Arriving Late/Leaving Early
We understand that everyone has busy schedules and sometimes getting to practice on time isn't an option. When arriving late, be aware you are entering a workout in progress. You should enter the least obtrusive lane and assimilate to the set in progress. Check in with the swimmers in the lane you are joining to make sure they are okay with you doing so and do not change the set they are already swimming - be courteous.
Remember that practice is designed from warm-up to cool-down, so coming late and leaving early does not give you the full benefit of practice. If you need to leave early, make sure you swim a few laps to warm down first and give your heart rate a chance to slow before getting out.
Lane Selection
Choose a lane with swimmers of similar ability. Lanes are loosely structured with fastest intervals in the middle and interval times decreasing as you move toward the outside of the pool. If you are repeatedly lapping or being lapped by others in your lane, you should move to a faster or slower lane.
The coach on deck may move swimmers around with the intention of making practice run more smoothly for everyone.
Circle Swimming
When circle swimming, swim on the right side of the lane; don’t swim down the middle. When turning, swim to the left side of the lane to make your turn. At the beginning of a set, give the swimmer ahead of you five seconds before you push off the wall.
If there are only two of you in a lane, you may agree to split the lane until another swimmer joins you. We encourage circle swimming with other swimmers of similar abilities. Swimming the sets together improves team experience and camaraderie.
Passing
Try to wait until the end of a set to change places with another swimmer. To pass in the middle of a set, tap the preceding swimmer’s foot as you approach the flags. When one swimmer catches another, the slower swimmer should yield by stopping on the next wall and moving to the side to allow the faster swimmer to pass. If you pass someone, be prepared to stay ahead for the rest of the set.
Leading a Lane
When you are the lane leader, you set the pace and keep track of the interval for the others behind you. Make sure everyone understands the set and interval before leaving the wall. Always start the set on a part of the clock that is easy to follow your pace (ie 60, 15, 30, 45; aka top, side, bottom). Unless the coach on deck directs when you leave, let your lane mates know when you plan to start.
If the lanes next to you are swimming the same or a similar interval, let them know as well. Swimming together as a team fosters unity and makes practice a little more enjoyable. Lane leaders and swimmers should communicate so everyone is on the same page.
Changing the Set
Practices are designed by our coaches to flow from warm-up to main set to cool-down. Drills may slow you down in the water, but our coaches give them with the sincere intention of improving your technique and avoiding injury, thus making you a better and stronger swimmer.
While there may be legitimate reasons for you to forgo that 200 IM, changing the set affects everyone else in your lane. If you have a knee injury, by all means, switch to dolphin kick during breaststroke, switch to one arm during butterfly if you have a shoulder injury, etc. You know your body and its capabilities best. As Masters swimmers, the final decision of what you swim is yours. Make sure you communicate any changes with the others in your lane and the coach to avoid confusion and frustration. Remember that changing the practice will likely disrupt the flow of it. Priority will be given to those who swim the set as given.
If you wish to alter the set/intervals for your lane, make sure your lane mates are in agreement. If you are swimming the set significantly faster than your lane mates, because let’s say, you are swimming freestyle instead of the breaststroke set that was given, make sure you rearrange lane order accordingly.
Making Space (Literally & Figuratively)
In the beginning of practice be sure to select the lane most appropriate for your speed. Once about 5-10 mins have passed you may spread out if there is available lane space.
Unless there are 2 or less swimmers in your lane, circle swim. If you would like to split the lane, make sure your lane mate is in agreement. Unless your lane has more than 6 swimmers, leave at least 5 seconds apart. And if you only have 2-3 swimmers in your lane, you may find it beneficial for your practice to leave 10 seconds apart - your splits will be more accurate.
When you stop at the wall for any reason, make space for the swimmers coming in so they can complete their turns and finishes legally and have a place to stop and rest on the wall. Unless you are having a medical event, don’t stop in the middle of the pool when someone is swimming behind you.
In the beginning of practice, if lifeguards are setting up pool covers or lane lanes, please practice patience and consider offering a helping hand to speed things up.
At the end of practice, exit the pool promptly to allow space for lap swimmers and other pool user groups. Neatly put away any equipment you have borrowed during practice.
Remember that Masters is supposed to be both fun and challenging. Every aspect of practice is designed by our amazing coaches to make you a better swimmer. Good lane etiquette, teamwork and communication will help us get through any difficult practice moments.
If an issue with a teammate arises please communicate with them in a calm and respectful manner. A gentle reminder of pool etiquette usually does the trick. If peer to peer communication doesn’t resolve the issue or you are uncomfortable bringing up your complaint personally, you may inform the coach on deck to help resolve the issue.
For other questions, concerns and non-urgent issues, you can contact our Board of Directors and coaching staff at [email protected].
We understand that everyone has busy schedules and sometimes getting to practice on time isn't an option. When arriving late, be aware you are entering a workout in progress. You should enter the least obtrusive lane and assimilate to the set in progress. Check in with the swimmers in the lane you are joining to make sure they are okay with you doing so and do not change the set they are already swimming - be courteous.
Remember that practice is designed from warm-up to cool-down, so coming late and leaving early does not give you the full benefit of practice. If you need to leave early, make sure you swim a few laps to warm down first and give your heart rate a chance to slow before getting out.
Lane Selection
Choose a lane with swimmers of similar ability. Lanes are loosely structured with fastest intervals in the middle and interval times decreasing as you move toward the outside of the pool. If you are repeatedly lapping or being lapped by others in your lane, you should move to a faster or slower lane.
The coach on deck may move swimmers around with the intention of making practice run more smoothly for everyone.
Circle Swimming
When circle swimming, swim on the right side of the lane; don’t swim down the middle. When turning, swim to the left side of the lane to make your turn. At the beginning of a set, give the swimmer ahead of you five seconds before you push off the wall.
If there are only two of you in a lane, you may agree to split the lane until another swimmer joins you. We encourage circle swimming with other swimmers of similar abilities. Swimming the sets together improves team experience and camaraderie.
Passing
Try to wait until the end of a set to change places with another swimmer. To pass in the middle of a set, tap the preceding swimmer’s foot as you approach the flags. When one swimmer catches another, the slower swimmer should yield by stopping on the next wall and moving to the side to allow the faster swimmer to pass. If you pass someone, be prepared to stay ahead for the rest of the set.
Leading a Lane
When you are the lane leader, you set the pace and keep track of the interval for the others behind you. Make sure everyone understands the set and interval before leaving the wall. Always start the set on a part of the clock that is easy to follow your pace (ie 60, 15, 30, 45; aka top, side, bottom). Unless the coach on deck directs when you leave, let your lane mates know when you plan to start.
If the lanes next to you are swimming the same or a similar interval, let them know as well. Swimming together as a team fosters unity and makes practice a little more enjoyable. Lane leaders and swimmers should communicate so everyone is on the same page.
Changing the Set
Practices are designed by our coaches to flow from warm-up to main set to cool-down. Drills may slow you down in the water, but our coaches give them with the sincere intention of improving your technique and avoiding injury, thus making you a better and stronger swimmer.
While there may be legitimate reasons for you to forgo that 200 IM, changing the set affects everyone else in your lane. If you have a knee injury, by all means, switch to dolphin kick during breaststroke, switch to one arm during butterfly if you have a shoulder injury, etc. You know your body and its capabilities best. As Masters swimmers, the final decision of what you swim is yours. Make sure you communicate any changes with the others in your lane and the coach to avoid confusion and frustration. Remember that changing the practice will likely disrupt the flow of it. Priority will be given to those who swim the set as given.
If you wish to alter the set/intervals for your lane, make sure your lane mates are in agreement. If you are swimming the set significantly faster than your lane mates, because let’s say, you are swimming freestyle instead of the breaststroke set that was given, make sure you rearrange lane order accordingly.
Making Space (Literally & Figuratively)
In the beginning of practice be sure to select the lane most appropriate for your speed. Once about 5-10 mins have passed you may spread out if there is available lane space.
Unless there are 2 or less swimmers in your lane, circle swim. If you would like to split the lane, make sure your lane mate is in agreement. Unless your lane has more than 6 swimmers, leave at least 5 seconds apart. And if you only have 2-3 swimmers in your lane, you may find it beneficial for your practice to leave 10 seconds apart - your splits will be more accurate.
When you stop at the wall for any reason, make space for the swimmers coming in so they can complete their turns and finishes legally and have a place to stop and rest on the wall. Unless you are having a medical event, don’t stop in the middle of the pool when someone is swimming behind you.
In the beginning of practice, if lifeguards are setting up pool covers or lane lanes, please practice patience and consider offering a helping hand to speed things up.
At the end of practice, exit the pool promptly to allow space for lap swimmers and other pool user groups. Neatly put away any equipment you have borrowed during practice.
Remember that Masters is supposed to be both fun and challenging. Every aspect of practice is designed by our amazing coaches to make you a better swimmer. Good lane etiquette, teamwork and communication will help us get through any difficult practice moments.
If an issue with a teammate arises please communicate with them in a calm and respectful manner. A gentle reminder of pool etiquette usually does the trick. If peer to peer communication doesn’t resolve the issue or you are uncomfortable bringing up your complaint personally, you may inform the coach on deck to help resolve the issue.
For other questions, concerns and non-urgent issues, you can contact our Board of Directors and coaching staff at [email protected].
We are a 501(c)(3) non profit.
Employer Identification Number (EIN):
94-3288796
Employer Identification Number (EIN):
94-3288796