Sit, Swivel and Slide
A calm, controlled seated entry from the pool edge that builds the habit of getting in safely.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Safe Entry
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 3–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Check depth is suitable for standing before using this entry.
- Keep the group spread along the edge so nobody slides into another swimmer.
What it develops
- Enter the water safely
- Understand basic pool safety
How to run it
- Swimmers sit on the edge with feet in the water and hands flat on the side next to one hip.
- On your cue they turn their body so both hands are on the edge and their tummy faces the wall.
- They lower themselves slowly into the water, keeping hold of the edge until their feet are on the floor.
- Finish by holding the wall and looking back at the teacher with a thumbs up.
Teaching cues
- Sit, turn, slide – say it every time.
- Hands stay on the edge until feet touch the floor.
- Slow and controlled beats fast.
Make it easier
- Teacher or assistant holds the swimmer's hands and guides the turn.
- Use the steps instead and practise the turn at the bottom step.
Make it harder
- Swimmers let go and step away from the wall once standing.
- Practise with eyes on the teacher rather than the water to build independence.
Common faults
- Pushing off the edge and dropping in forwards.
- Letting go too early.
Corrections
- Demonstrate the turn on poolside first so the pattern is clear.
- Count 'one, two, three, feet down' before hands are allowed to let go.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand in the water in front of the most nervous swimmers and offer a hand to hold during the turn, then step back as confidence grows.