Front Crawl Sighting

Lift the eyes just above the surface to spot a target every few strokes, then turn to breathe – keeping front crawl smooth while navigating, a useful skill for open water awareness.

Stages: Swimming – Stage 10
Difficulty: Advanced
Skills: Water Safety, Front Crawl, Front Crawl Breathing
Equipment: Float, Floating Toys
Age: 10–99 years
Group size: 1–16 swimmers
Time: About 6 minutes
In a lesson: Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
Shared by: SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

Pool practice only; talk about open water safety but never encourage swimming in open water without proper supervision.
Clear lanes and one direction so swimmers don't collide while practising.

What it develops

Front crawl technique held over longer distances

How to run it

Place a target at the far end (a coloured float or the teacher's raised hand).
Every six strokes, as one arm extends forward, lift the eyes just above the surface to see the target – 'crocodile eyes'.
Lower the face, then turn to the side to breathe on the next stroke.
Repeat over widths; the teacher moves the target so swimmers must sight to find it.

Teaching cues

Crocodile eyes – just your goggles.
Look, then breathe to the side.
Keep the kick going.

Make it easier

Sight every four strokes over a short distance.
Practise with a float in the lead hand.

Make it harder

Sight every eight strokes and still swim straight.
Swim with eyes closed for three strokes between sights (in a clear lane only).

Common faults

Lifting the whole head and breathing forward.
Hips drop each time they look.
Stopping the arms to look.

Corrections

'Look, don't breathe forward – breathe to the side after.'
'Press your chest down as you look.'
'Look on the reach, keep the arms turning.'

Assistant / L1 role

Hold and move the target at the far end when the teacher signals, keeping it visible above the water.