Lane Etiquette

• Always go to the toilet before your training session.
• Bring a positive attitude — encourage each other and remember you are all part of the same club.
• Follow your coach's instructions. Not every length is a race! When doing drills, focus on technique rather than speed.
• Always start, turn, and finish with legal push-offs and touches.

• Know (or ask) the speed of swimmers in your lane so you can line up from fastest to slowest.
• This order may change depending on the stroke or drill — no one is the fastest at everything.
• When circle swimming, stay on the correct side of the lane.
• Be especially aware of your position when swimming butterfly or backstroke.

• Do not stop in the middle of a length — always continue to the wall.
• Once you finish, move immediately to the far right to allow others to pass.
• Push off only after the swimmer in front has completed their push-off.

• Be patient when passing — never swim over someone.
• Only overtake if the other side of the lane is clear.
• Do not speed up if someone is overtaking you.
• To signal you want to pass, gently tap the swimmer's toes once (never pull).
• The swimmer ahead should stop at the wall and allow you to pass.

Avoid Tailgating

• Leave at least 5 seconds between swimmers when pushing off.
• If you keep catching the swimmer ahead:
  • Tap their feet once and pass at the wall, or
  • Leave a larger gap (e.g. 10 seconds).
• Do not swim right on someone's feet or repeatedly hit them.

• Try to turn in the centre of the lane if there is space.
• Do not push off in the middle of the lane.
• Always start and finish at the wall.
• Do not stop short of the wall — this blocks swimmers behind you.
• Practice strong finishes every time — races are often decided by fractions of a second.

• Always be aware of where others are in your lane.
• Do not push off in front of a faster swimmer who is about to turn.
• Allow all swimmers to finish at the wall.
• Every swimmer in the lane has equal rights, regardless of position.
• Move out of the way promptly after finishing.

• Learn to read the pace clock — know your time and intervals.
• Count your own laps — do not rely on the lead swimmer.