Lane Etiquette
Communication
Learn the names of your lane mates. You are about to spend one hour or more with these people-heart rates elevated with almost no clothes on. Aren't you curious what their names are?
Understand the cruise interval for the lane. Does everyone agree? Are you in the right lane?
Never begin a 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.
Communicate to your lane mates if you plan to do anything "different" in the set. This includes switching to another stroke than designated, putting on fins kicking rather than swimming, 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 and 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 or 10 seconds back from the leaders).
Be aware of what is happening in the lane. Where are the other swimmers? Am I holding people up? Am I running people over? Is there somebody right behind me as I am coming off the wall?
If you have trouble seeing the clock, figure out how to see it. Prescription goggles, contacts under you goggles, small pace clocks next to your lane and synchronizing your wrist watch, are just a few of the many options.
If you arrive late to the workout, take responsibility for learning what is going on. Ask the coach what's going on before you get into the water. Do not interrupt the swimmers. The on deck coach may ask you to do a warm up in a different lane.
Encourage and Acknowledge
It’s fun and motivating to hear positive encouragement coming from fellow swimmers. A small "let’s 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. "We're awesome," with high fives all around. "Let’s celebrate with a latte…"