below the skimmer is pretty common, same for below the returns. I have also just used a skimmer plug and sucked the water out of there. Before I had the skimmer plug I duck taped over the mouth and placed a empty antifreeze bottle in the mouth, also had a gizmo and added some cut up pool noodles as well as 1 gallon of antifreeze. Results for all three methods...The tape comes off when water rises, water worked its way in the skimmer even with the skimmer plug. I believe its the antifreeze combined with the empty jug and foam noodles that ensured the skimmer didn't crack when freeze up occurred. I for one will drain a puck pool below the jets as I believe I am doing clients a favour by diluting their CYA with winter snow/rain. Salt water pools, I only drain below the skimmer.