Giant Steps, Fairy Steps
Varying the size and speed of steps to build balance and confidence walking in the water.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Forward Travel
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 3–8 years
- Group size
- 2–15 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep hops small in shallow water.
What it develops
- Move forwards about 5 metres
How to run it
- Swimmers stand in a line along the wall.
- Call 'giant steps' (big slow strides with big arm scoops) or 'fairy steps' (tiny quick steps on tiptoes).
- Add 'bunny hops' (two-foot jumps) and 'statues' (freeze).
- Travel across the pool and back.
Teaching cues
- Use your arms to balance – scoop the water behind you.
- Shoulders under the water.
- Keep looking forwards.
Make it easier
- Hold a noodle in front for balance.
- Walk along the wall holding it with one hand.
Make it harder
- Walk with chin touching the water.
- Add bubbles on every giant step.
Common faults
- Arms waving out of the water.
- Leaning back.
Corrections
- Hands hidden under the water like a submarine.
- 'Nose over toes' to lean slightly forwards.
Assistant / L1 role
- Hold hands with a nervous swimmer and walk together, releasing one hand then the other.