The Rules of the Pool
By Lisa MarshallI know many of you haven’t been swimming your entire life and you don’t know all the “rules of the pool,” however, this is no excuse! Take a moment to learn proper swim etiquette to ensure a better swim for everyone!
1 – Good Manners
Bring them to the pool and use them. If it’s your first time to this Masters practice then introduce yourself to the coach and ask them the following questions:
“Is your practice split by lane in to different levels of ability?”
“If so, which lanes are for which levels?”
“How much yardage will each group be doing today?”
“What is the average pace by 100yd or meters of freestyle?”
“Do you do all strokes or mainly freestyle in this group?”
“Which lane would you recommend for me?”
These questions and answers should lead you to the appropriate lane for your ability.
Once you have determined the correct lane, continue with your good manners and introduce yourself to your lane mates.
2 – Circle swim or split the lane
Always ask BEFORE you start swimming with someone if they want to split the lane (you swim on one side and I swim on the other side the entire time) or circle swim (we swim down on the right side and back on the left the entire time).
3 – Passing
Everyone should swim the pace that is dictated by the interval assigned and everyone should leave :05 to :10 a part off the wall so they don’t draft or swim over each other. However, if someone is fading in practice and you are swimming up on them then tap them once on the foot, only ONCE. They will move slightly to their right and you will speed up and pass on the left. If the lead person wants to stop to let you go by, then they will swim and stop at the far RIGHT hand corner of the lane for you to flip to the left and go by. NEVER pull up and stop in the middle or the left side of the lane.
4 – Finishing
When you finish a lap or set you will touch the wall and move over to your left to allow the others to swim in to the wall and finish by touching the wall.
5 – Listen to the coach
Do not talk to others while the coach is explaining the set. If you don’t understand the set then immediately ask the coach for some assistance, but do not hold up your lane or the entire practice for your clarification.
6 – Cut your fingernails and toenails
Ouch! You don’t want to be the cause of blood in the water.
7 – Paddles
Be careful not to hit people in your lane or in the next lane with paddles on. This is another cause of blood in the water. You should circle swim if you are using paddles to lessen the chance for hitting others.
8 – Enter safely
Don’t jump, dive or push off the wall when another swimmer is approaching the wall! This is a terrible way to make an impression.
9 – Blocking the pace clock
Never stand or block the view of the pace clock.
10 – Say thank you
. . . to the coach and to your lane mates.
Don’t let the “Masters” title fool you. We don’t have that title because we have “mastered” anything; we just have that title because we are old! Well, not really old, just older than the kids in the age group swim practices afterschool. Have fun and come back again so you can continue to meet more people with similar interests as you and that will challenge you to get better in the pool!
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