Let Go of the Wall
A gradual progression from holding the wall to standing independently, using small, achievable steps.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Forward Travel
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 3–99 years
- Group size
- 1–8 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Do this in water where the swimmer can stand with their shoulders at the surface or lower.
What it develops
- Move forwards about 5 metres
- Move sideways along the wall
How to run it
- Swimmer holds the wall with both hands.
- Let go with one hand and wave; hold again.
- Let go with both hands for a count of 3; clap under the water, then hold again.
- Step away one pace, turn around and step back to the wall.
- Increase to two, then three paces.
Teaching cues
- The wall is always there – you can go back.
- Shoulders under, feet wide for balance.
- Use your arms to balance.
Make it easier
- Assistant stands behind as a 'moving wall'.
Make it harder
- Walk to the teacher and back.
- Push off the wall and glide back to it.
Common faults
- Standing tall and stiff, losing balance.
Corrections
- 'Sit in a little chair' to lower the shoulders.
- 'Starfish feet' – wide stance.
Assistant / L1 role
- Act as the 'moving wall' behind the swimmer, stepping back gradually.