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How about swim-overs? Do you ever honestly believe they save time?
Are swim-overs the best for our young swimmers? Those on the
blocks are attempting to concentrate on the race before them and
looking at a tired panting individual gasping for air two feet below
cannot provide the best of environments. In the past couple of
years I have tried out the following system with great success.
When a race is finished and I have written down my sweep I wait maybe
ten to fifteen seconds and then blow my whistle. If the swimmers in
the water do not get out I expect my starter to ask the swimmers to
"clear the pool please". I will brief him/her prior to the start of the session
to do this automatically. By the time the swimmers mount the blocks
and take up their positions, I have scanned the timers to see if
they are ready and scanned the feet of the swimmers to ensure
they are in the correct position. If those on the blocks are not
in the correct position, again I expect my starter to call the
adjustment. The swimmers who were in the water have long since gone and
we are ready to go. For the most part the turnarounds go for
about 25 seconds. This system allows fast turnovers and more
importantly, allows those on the blocks a clear lane without
any distractions.
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This page last edited by Duncan Laidlow, June 26,1997.
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