Lane Etiquette

Swimmers spend tons of time in the pool.  At practices, we usually stick to the same lane with the same group of people.  We usually become close to that group of people, and it becomes "our lane." However, it's not always rainbows and sunshine swimming with other people in a lane.  There are numerous rules that every swimmer should abide by.  If not, your lanemates will probably resent you for swimming idiotically.  For some of you who aren't quite sure about these rules, here are some rules to lane etiquette that I find important.

• Swim on the RIGHT side of the lane.  Unless you're swimming backstroke, then it's your left side.  Don't swim in the middle.  Circle swimming requires all swimmers to swim in a circle- not battle for the middle of the lane.  Stick to your side and stay there.
• Pass on the LEFT.  If you need to pass someone, pass on the left side.  I prefer it when a person taps my foot before she passes me, so I know not to flip turn and collide with that person.  Pass on the left, don't creep up on the right and jam yourself between a person and the lane line.
• Don't draft.  Especially for a whole set.  No one is happy when a swimmer stays on their feet during the set and doesn't want to go ahead of them.  If the lead swimmer is working hard to make the set, so should everyone else.  The second person shouldn't be on the leader's toes, drafting effortlessly the whole way.
• Don't sit on the wall.  Don't pretend to fix your goggles for a 400.  Everyone knows the set is hard, but everyone else sticks through it.  Work hard throughout the whole set, and don't give yourself breaks unless you really need to.  The hard work will pay off.
• Don't leave early.  If your lane is spaced out 5 seconds apart, leave 5 seconds after the person in front of you, not 3.  It not only puts you up ahead on someone's toes, but it also annoys the person behind you.  Everything runs more smoothly if you leave on the correct time.

 Those are a few points in lane etiquette.  Following these will leave you swimming well, fast, and swiftly. :)