Using Pool Space Effectively Equally as important as controlling time, is controlling how pool space is used. Overcrowded lanes and lanes full of mismatched swimmers must be avoided. Congested swimming space slows swimmers down, and swimmers swimming different strokes can get in each others way. When team members arrive at the pool, they should not have to guess where to go or what to do. To ensure the most effective use of the pool, lane assignments must be clear and regular swimming patterns must be in place.
Nothing devalues a practice more than confusion.
There are many proven training formations that make good use of pool space, but the makeup of the team and the layout of the pool will ultimately determine the best distribution of swimmers. Once determined, this information gets written into the detailed practice plan. Assigning swimmers to practice lanes should not be taken for granted. The placement of swimmers has much to do with what gets done at practice. But confined to one lane, a group this size will be forced to swim in circles, possibly fostering faulty swimming techniques.