How To Read A Paceclock (REPOST)

With it the beginning of the season and homework being hopefully light at this point, I thought it was best to get this article out now. It is important that all swimmers in AG3 are able to read a paceclock. One this is a skill they need to move up to AG2, two it helps with practice management - we are able to get more done and I am able to spend more time working on technique if everyone knows when they are supposed to leave.

Gold and Green, it does not hurt to look over this stuff now. We will do "easier" intervals in Green like on the :30 and 1:00. Gold we will do :20s and work into :15s and :45s

I was first taught with a traditional pace clock (with a hand) and then moved on to the digital which is a good way to learn. This article teaches you how to read it with the traditional clock. I would recommend the swimmers practicing this at home just like they would their times tables in math. It is simple math, that once practiced is habit. This was the most user friendly article I found, and it breaks it down wonderfully.
http://www.wsumastersswimming.org/workouts/paceclock.html and http://www.lbgrunions.org/swim-tips/10-pace-clock.html

At WSU Masters we have two types of pace clocks available. The first is a traditional pace clock as shown below. The second type of clock is a digital clock. It is suggested that you become familiar with the traditional analog style clock before you begin using the digital style.

By thinking of the clock face as a pie that has been cut it becomes easier to visualize segments and keep track of your swims and send-off times. Listed on this page are some basic intervals along with an explanation of how to figure your next repeat.

Intervals or pace that are exactly one minute (or two minutes or three minutes, etc.) are easy. Whatever number you leave the first repeat on, it will be this same number for all repeats in the entire set.

When using intervals or pace that are either 30 seconds (or 1:30, 2:30, etc.) you will always leave on one of two numbers. Those numbers will be directly across from one another on the pace clock.

Intervals of either 20 or 40 seconds slice the pie (pace clock) into thirds. This means you will always leave on one of three numbers. If your interval is 20 seconds (or 1:20, 2:20, etc.) your numbers will rotate clockwise. If your interval is 40 seconds (or 1:40, 2:40, etc.) your numbers will rotate counterclockwise.

Intervals of either 15 or 45 seconds will split the clock into fourths. Intervals ending in 15 seconds (1:15, 2:15, etc.) will have send-off numbers rotating clockwise. Send-off times in 45 second intervals (:45, 1:45, etc.) will have send-off numbers that rotate counter clockwise. In both cases, send-off numbers will alternate ending in 5 and 0.

Intervals of 10 seconds (1:10, 2:10, 3:10, etc.) and 50 seconds (:50, 1:50, 2:50, etc.) are easy. For 10 second intervals your next send-off always advance in a clockwise rotation. Send-offs for 50 second intervals always retract in a counterclockwise rotation.

Intervals of 5 seconds (1:05, 2:05, etc.) and 55 seconds (:55, 1:55, 2:55, etc.) will always advance and retract one number respectively.