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Rotation Relay

A team relay where every swimmer must roll from front to back at the halfway noodle – rotation under game pressure.

Stages
Stage 3
Difficulty
Developing
Skills
Rotation, Front Kick, Back Kick
Equipment
Float, Noodle
Age
6–12 years
Group size
4–14 swimmers
Time
About 6 minutes
In a lesson
Game / Consolidation
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

  • Separate lanes for each team.

What it develops

  • Rotate front to back and back to front while moving
  • Swim about 10 metres on the front
  • Swim about 10 metres on the back

How to run it

  1. Place a noodle across the middle of the area.
  2. Swimmers kick or swim on the front to the noodle.
  3. At the noodle they roll onto the back and kick to the far wall.
  4. Tag the next team member.

Teaching cues

  • Roll at the noodle.
  • Keep kicking.
  • Tummy up after the roll.

Make it easier

  • Float allowed.
  • Stand-and-turn allowed at the noodle for the first round.

Make it harder

  • Roll twice: at the noodle and at a second marker.
  • Use front crawl and backstroke arms.

Common faults

  • Standing at the noodle.
  • Rolling too early or late.

Corrections

  • Two-point penalty for standing.
  • Make the noodle a clear marker by placing a hoop there.

Assistant / L1 role

  • Stand at the halfway noodle as the judge, checking each swimmer rolls without standing.

Helps with