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Float Kick Relay

Teams race a float across the width by kicking – every swimmer gets a turn to practise a continuous front kick.

Stages
Stage 2
Difficulty
Beginner
Skills
Forward Travel, Front Kick
Equipment
Float
Age
5–11 years
Group size
6–16 swimmers
Time
About 6 minutes
In a lesson
Game / Consolidation
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

  • Keep teams in separate lanes.
  • Walk, don't run, on the return.

What it develops

  • Travel about 10 metres on the front
  • Kick on the front and back

How to run it

  1. Split into teams of three or four at the wall.
  2. The first swimmer kicks across with a float, then walks back along the side.
  3. They hand the float to the next swimmer.
  4. First team to finish sits on the steps.

Teaching cues

  • Arms long on the float.
  • Kick all the way.
  • Keep your legs straight.

Make it easier

  • Half-width relay.
  • Walking allowed for the last part.

Make it harder

  • Kick on the back for the return leg.
  • Face in with bubbles.

Common faults

  • Kicking with bent knees in the excitement.
  • Standing to rest.

Corrections

  • Award points for the straightest legs, not just speed.
  • Shorter distance so nobody has to stop.

Assistant / L1 role

  • Be the judge at the finish line, watching kicking legs and awarding 'straight leg' bonus points.

Helps with