If the major car companies, electronics companies and other industries can get together ad agree on certain industry standards, why not swimming? Do you think that all computer firms just suddenly come up with the USB? No, they all agreed to the design, capabilities and limitations, so all could compete and flourish on par.
Same goes for swimming, but it hasn't happened yet. Lap or Length have been argued to death here, with no consensus. This morning I was reminded of another set of easily confused terms; build and descend. I was taught that build meant increase speed (or at least effort) during the individual swim you are about to perform, descend was to make each swim in a set a little faster, so the last 100 (or whatever the distance) was faster than the first one .
Anyone else have terms of inconsistency or ambiguity? Can we get the coaches to issue forth a letter of understanding on certain terms, so we have an interchangeable vernacular across the country?
Some coaches expect the swimmers in the lanes to explain the set (or the special terms), and that is patently unfair to all of the swimmers. The new ones because there is now an arm's length relationship with the coach, and the returning swimmers because they now have to take precious time out of their workout to explain to the newbie (or thick head).
I suppose I don't see how a uniform set of definitions -- even if such can be agreed upon and maintained (not an easy task I think) -- will help this very much. If a coach is unfriendly to newbies that will be obvious no matter what else happens.
For example: imagine a scenario where there is a glossary somewhere. Then you have a coach who hands a new swimmer a list and says "you will be expected to know these terms before you can swim with us." This is better? You can even argue that having such a glossary actually reduces the opportunity for personal interaction between new swimmer and coach.
I suppose what I am saying is that I do not believe that inconsistent terminology is the root of the problems you are describing. So fixing it would take a lot of work and wouldn't solve the problem. At least, that's my experience; YMMV of course.
(However, a consistent set of terms might be useful in training coaches.)
Some coaches expect the swimmers in the lanes to explain the set (or the special terms), and that is patently unfair to all of the swimmers. The new ones because there is now an arm's length relationship with the coach, and the returning swimmers because they now have to take precious time out of their workout to explain to the newbie (or thick head).
I suppose I don't see how a uniform set of definitions -- even if such can be agreed upon and maintained (not an easy task I think) -- will help this very much. If a coach is unfriendly to newbies that will be obvious no matter what else happens.
For example: imagine a scenario where there is a glossary somewhere. Then you have a coach who hands a new swimmer a list and says "you will be expected to know these terms before you can swim with us." This is better? You can even argue that having such a glossary actually reduces the opportunity for personal interaction between new swimmer and coach.
I suppose what I am saying is that I do not believe that inconsistent terminology is the root of the problems you are describing. So fixing it would take a lot of work and wouldn't solve the problem. At least, that's my experience; YMMV of course.
(However, a consistent set of terms might be useful in training coaches.)
