Float Countdown
Swimmers set a personal best for how long they can float, front and back – floating is both a skill and a way to rest.
- Stages
- Stage 2, Stage 3
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Buoyancy, Front Float, Back Float, Water Safety
- Equipment
- None, Noodle
- Age
- 4–99 years
- Group size
- 1–15 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- No breath-holding for long front floats – the swimmer stands to breathe whenever they need to.
What it develops
- Float on front and back and return to standing
- Use simple water safety skills
How to run it
- Swimmers take a front or back star float without equipment.
- The group counts out loud while they float.
- Swimmers note their best count, front and back.
- Next lesson, try to beat it. Talk about floating as a way to rest if tired.
Teaching cues
- Big breath, then relax.
- Stay still.
- Ears in on your back.
Make it easier
- Noodle under the arms or knees.
- Count to 3 only.
Make it harder
- Hold for 20 seconds on the back.
- Float in a pencil shape, which is harder to balance.
Common faults
- Tensing and sinking.
- Hands moving all the time.
Corrections
- 'Floppy like a starfish on the beach.'
- Slow counting helps swimmers relax.
Assistant / L1 role
- Keep the count and record personal bests for each swimmer on a laminated card on poolside.