The top swimmers from three European nations will gather to take on Team USA in the 2009 Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool, December 18-19 in Manchester, England. The bi-annual Duel in the Pool is a made-for-TV event, designed to showcase the sport's most exciting swimmers in non-Olympic years. This year's Duel takes on a new format with Team USA facing a team comprised of the top swimmers from Great Britain, Germany and Italy. The event will be held at the Manchester Aquatic Centre.

A reader has some concerns and questions about their team, pool space, and what is appropriate. What do you think?

Our swim team has to renegotiate swim practice times in January. There is a competing team that wants the same practice times. We live in a small rural town and the town is not big enough for two teams (we can barely get kids to join the team now). How many kids should be swimming in one lane? Do you know of a fair equitable policy for practice time?

The easiest place to make a quick change in streamline technique is off a wall - from a turn. You can practice these every time you push off of a wall to start a swim or after you have done a turn.

To be truly successful in swimming, it's not always the case of trying to achieve a goal, but being able to break through your own resistance to it. What is this resistance? The doubts you have in your own ability. But why would anyone have resistance to success? Surely everyone wants to be successful in their swimming?