Space Mission
A themed circuit: launch (glide), orbit (roll), spacewalk (back float), meteor shower (go under) and splashdown (swim home).
- Stages
- Stage 2, Stage 3
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Submersion, Back Float, Rotation, Push and Glide
- Equipment
- None, Noodle, Watering Can
- Age
- 5–11 years
- Group size
- 2–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 7 minutes
- In a lesson
- Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep a gap between astronauts so each mission is clear.
What it develops
- Float on front and back and return to standing
- Roll from front to back and back to front
- Push and glide on the front
- Streamlined push and glide on front and back
- Rotate front to back and back to front while moving
How to run it
- Launch – push and glide from the wall.
- Orbit – roll from front to back.
- Spacewalk – back star float for 5 seconds.
- Meteor shower – go fully under as the teacher sprinkles water.
- Splashdown – swim or kick back to the wall. Swimmers complete the mission one after another.
Teaching cues
- Long rocket on launch.
- Head leads the orbit.
- Tummy up on the spacewalk.
Make it easier
- Noodle for the orbit and spacewalk.
- Meteor shower is face-in only.
Make it harder
- No stopping or standing between stages.
- Splashdown with front crawl or backstroke.
Common faults
- Standing up between each stage.
- Rushing the float.
Corrections
- Break the mission into two halves at first.
- Count the spacewalk out loud.
Assistant / L1 role
- Be 'mission control' at the orbit and spacewalk stages, supporting swimmers who need help to roll or float.