Dolphin Kick Judges
A team relay where judges award points for good dolphin kick technique – not just speed – so everyone kicks properly under pressure.
- Stages
- Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Dolphin Kick, Body Wave
- Equipment
- Float, Short Fins
- Age
- 7–14 years
- Group size
- 6–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- One team per lane; kick on the surface.
What it develops
- Butterfly rhythm with early full-stroke arms
- Butterfly with two-kick rhythm and forward breathing
- Efficient butterfly for a short distance
How to run it
- Teams of three: one kicker, two judges.
- The kicker dolphin kicks across the width (float or streamline).
- Judges score two points: 'legs together' and 'wave from the chest'.
- Rotate roles. Highest technique score wins.
Teaching cues
- Legs together.
- Wave from your chest.
- Judges – look closely.
Make it easier
- Kick with a float and fins.
- Judge one point only.
Make it harder
- Streamlined kick with a forward breath.
- Add one butterfly stroke at the end.
Common faults
- Racing and bending the knees.
- Judges not watching.
Corrections
- Points only for technique.
- Give judges a clear checklist card.
Assistant / L1 role
- Run the judges' panel for one lane and check scores are fair.