Lane etiquette and circle swimming

Setup

1. Four or five swimmers per lane, sorted roughly by speed so the lanes run smoothly.
2. Point out the pool's direction sign: swimmers keep to one side of the lane going up and the other coming back.
3. Talk through the four rules on deck before getting in: keep to your side, leave a 5-second gap, tap feet to pass, rest in the corners.

How it runs

1. Swimmers push off one at a time, 5 seconds apart, and swim 200 m easy freestyle keeping to their side.
2. Next 4 × 50 m: the coach puts a faster swimmer behind a slower one on purpose. The faster swimmer taps the feet of the swimmer in front once.
3. The tapped swimmer carries on to the wall, stops in the corner and lets the faster swimmer turn and go first, then follows 5 seconds later.
4. Swimmers who need a rest stop in a corner of the wall, never in the middle where others turn.
5. To rejoin, a resting swimmer waits for a clear gap behind the next arrival and pushes off on their side.
6. Finish with a short, mixed-speed swim where the group has to sort itself out using only these rules.

Coaching points

• Look before you push off: is anyone about to turn at the wall?
• One firm tap on the feet, not a grab at the legs.
• Pass only at the wall unless the lane is clear ahead and the other side is empty.
• Turn in the middle of the wall; rest at the edges.

Common mistakes

• Pushing off right on top of the swimmer in front.
• Ignoring a foot tap and racing the faster swimmer.
• Stopping mid-lane to fix goggles.
• Swimming down the centre line and meeting oncoming swimmers head-on.