Coach Says
A 'Simon Says' for older swimmers using technical commands – 'Coach says six-kick switch' – a lively warm-up that revises drills.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Coordination
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 6–14 years
- Group size
- 4–20 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep the area clear; swimmers moving in the same direction.
What it develops
- Build continuous swimming distance
- Swim continuously at a steady pace
How to run it
- Teacher calls commands starting 'Coach says…' (e.g. streamline kick, scull, one goggle in).
- Swimmers perform the drill across the width.
- If 'Coach says' is missing and they move, they do a quick float instead of being out.
- Swimmers take turns being coach.
Teaching cues
- Listen carefully.
- Do the drill properly.
- Keep moving.
Make it easier
- Familiar drills only.
- Floats allowed.
Make it harder
- Faster changes between drills.
- Swimmer-coaches invent a drill.
Common faults
- Sloppy drills in the rush.
- Swimmers talking over the commands.
Corrections
- Praise the best-performed drill.
- Keep commands short.
Assistant / L1 role
- Demonstrate each command on poolside so swimmers can see the drill.