Artistic swimming: poor spatial awareness in patterns

Spacing in lines and circles drifts, or swimmers end up in the wrong place.

Activities that help

• Circle Formation Swim – A small group forms a circle, swims it round together, then opens and closes it on counts – learning to keep a formation.
• Eggbeater Formation Travel – A group travels together in a line using eggbeater, keeping spacing and facing the audience – moving between positions in a routine.
• Follow the Leader Patterns – A line of swimmers follows a leader around simple pool patterns – a curve, a figure of eight, a circle – keeping even spacing.
• Line to Circle Transition – A group moves from a straight line into a circle and back on agreed counts – a simple formation change for routines.
• Lines and Diagonals – Groups practise straight lines, diagonals and a V shape, moving between them on counts and checking spacing from poolside.