1. Don’t push off right before a swimmer comes in to turn.
If you push off right when another swimmer is coming into the wall to make a turn, it means that the other swimmer will push off either, (a) right beside you, or (b) on top of or below you. This is dangerous.
2. Cross the T to turn.
When you swim into the wall, cross into the center of the lane and turn in the middle of the wall so that you have less distance to travel to get to the other side of the lane. At a busy practice, chances are good that a teammate will be on your heels. Turning in the center of the wall ensures that you do not push off directly into incoming swimmers.
3. Be aware of other swimmers' locations.
When you stop at the wall, look back to see where the next person is.
4. Give each other room.
Leave five seconds behind the swimmer ahead of you.
5. Stick to your lane's interval.
It doesn’t work if all the swimmers in a lane are not following the same interval. It can cause log jams and confusion. If you cannot execute the interval, it means you are not in the right lane.
6. Go in the right order.
If there are people faster than you, don’t go ahead of them. You will slow them down and impact their workout. Similarly, don’t have slower people go ahead of you. You will be on their heels the whole time.
7. Rest in the corners.
It’s normal to catch your breath and reset yourself mentally between reps and sets. Rest in the corners of the lane as close to the wall or lane rope as possible so that other swimmers can turn unobstructed.
8. Choose your lane by pace, not ego.
Challenge yourself by working hard in a lane that matches your speed, not by trying to keep up in a faster lane. If you have to wear fins to keep up, or stop frequently, you need to move to a slower lane. And that's okay.
9. Tap and pass.
When moving past slower swimmers, tap them once on the foot and speed up to pass them. If you are about to be passed, do not speed up. Stay to the side and allow the faster moving swimmer to pass on your left. Passing down the middle of the lane when it is busy runs the risk of head-on collisions.
10. If you don’t understand something, ask someone in your lane.
It's common for swimmers to miss an instruction and shout to the coach for clarification. Instead, ask someone nearby in your lane; it's easier, faster, and safer. If you find you often miss instructions, challenge yourself to pay better attention. And follow the golden rule of swimming and sports: don't talk while the coach is giving instructions!
