Sounds simple, right? It is, if everyone cooperates.
When overtaking someone in your lane (presuming freestyle is being swum), tap their foot on one stroke so they will not be surprised to see you so close behind. Wait for a couple of strokes to find out what they intend to do and pass accordingly.
Tap the foot. That is the signal that you want to pass. Surprise is unwelcome in most practice lanes.
When swimming in a lane with others and someone taps your foot, that means they want to pass. It doesn't mean they want to race. It doesn't mean they want to talk or fight. They are overtaking you in a swim and want to continue their pace with the least amount of consternation on anyone's part. If your foot gets tapped, there are exactly two appropriate ways to respond. #1- if you are swimming long course and have been tapped in the middle of the pool, slow down a little and move to the right, hugging the lane line. The passing party will be by in a moment and you will be able to continue apace, both satisfied that no meaningful time was lost in the exchange. #2 - if you are in short course lanes, swim to the end of the lane as far right as possible, grabbing the wall for an open turn. This will give the overtaking swimmer plenty of room to pass on the left and you will be able to draft off of him for a little while.
When your foot is tapped, it is not a signal to speed up. There are no swimmers alive that have never been passed in workout. I occasionally will be passed and do the passing in the same workout. It is not a point of honor, it is workout. It is not a signal to stop. All that accomplishes is to mess up both swimmers' workouts and clog up a lane for other swimmers.
You are not alone in the lane, don't act like you are. If your lane mates all want you to go first, don't waste time being demure, even if you know they are faster. Just go and make them pass you a few times and the lane order will even out. Talk to one another (only when the coach is not talking) to decide how passing will be done and everyone is happy.
Parents
Former Member
Another item that I left out that I was reminded of this morning: passing by turning around in the middle of the pool is CHEATING. A former coach of mine looked dimly on this practice and solved it rapidly: the first time someone was caught turning in the middle, practice was stopped while everyone watched the offender swim a 200 fly. The second time it happened, the offender swam a 500 fly and the rest of the team swam 200 fly. There was never a third time.
Luckily, as masters swimmers, we don't have to put up with such bull:censor: now.
Another item that I left out that I was reminded of this morning: passing by turning around in the middle of the pool is CHEATING. A former coach of mine looked dimly on this practice and solved it rapidly: the first time someone was caught turning in the middle, practice was stopped while everyone watched the offender swim a 200 fly. The second time it happened, the offender swam a 500 fly and the rest of the team swam 200 fly. There was never a third time.
Luckily, as masters swimmers, we don't have to put up with such bull:censor: now.
