Coordination – swimming activities

Linking arms, legs and breathing together.

Activities

  • Backstroke Six-Kick Switch – Kick on the side with one arm up, then pull through to switch sides – links rotation, kick and arm action.
  • Catch-Up Crawl – One hand waits on a float until the other arm catches up – slows front crawl down so swimmers can feel each part.
  • Coach Says – A 'Simon Says' for older swimmers using technical commands – 'Coach says six-kick switch' – a lively warm-up that revises drills.
  • Dolphin Dives – Swimmers porpoise over and under a noodle like dolphins, feeling the head-first wave movement that butterfly uses.
  • Duck Dive for Treasure – Swimmers learn a head-first surface dive to reach sinkers on the pool floor instead of just crouching down.
  • Float Then Go – Swimmers start from a still star float and get moving into a swim – learning to go from resting to travelling without standing.
  • Handstand Challenge – Swimmers do handstands in shallow water – great for confident submersion, breath control and body awareness.
  • Keep the Engine Running – A partner watches the swimmer's feet: the legs must keep kicking while the arms work – fixes kicks that stop when arms start.
  • Kick and Hold – A breaststroke kick followed by a held streamline glide – teaches swimmers that the glide is part of the stroke.
  • Kick Train – Three or four swimmers hold one long noodle and kick together as a train – everyone has to kick to make it move.
  • Left, Right, Both – Two single-arm butterfly strokes (left then right) followed by one full stroke – keeps rhythm while building strength and timing.
  • Medley Mix – Swimmers swim the four strokes in medley order with the right turn between each – changing strokes cleanly and in control.
  • Mermaid Tails – Legs together like a mermaid's tail, swimmers wiggle through the water with a dolphin kick.
  • Mirror Swimming – Pairs swim side by side trying to stay perfectly in time – stroke for stroke – which needs a steady, controlled rhythm.
  • Noodle Crawl – A noodle under the chest keeps the body high so swimmers can focus on front crawl arms and breathing.
  • Noodle Slalom – Swimmers weave in and out of a line of floating noodles, learning to steer while travelling on the front.
  • Opposite Arms – As one hand enters, the other leaves the water at the thigh – continuous backstroke arms with no pause.
  • Pull, Breathe, Kick, Glide – The breaststroke timing progression: arms first, breathe, then kick, then glide – built step by step to full stroke.
  • Push of War – Two swimmers hold opposite ends of one float and kick against each other – whoever kicks best pushes their partner back.
  • Safe Relay Changeovers – Teams practise safe relay takeovers – wait until the incoming swimmer touches, enter safely, move away from the wall.
  • Six-Kick Switch – Six kicks on one side, one stroke to roll through to the other side – teaches rotation and breathing without stopping the kick.
  • Stay Upright Challenge – In water just too deep to stand, swimmers stay upright using sculling hands and cycling legs – an early step towards treading water.
  • Stroke Bingo – Bingo cards with skills and strokes – swimmers complete a row by performing each skill correctly.
  • Stroke Clinic – Swimmers identify their own main fault (with a partner or the teacher) and choose a drill from a menu to fix it.
  • Stroke Copycat – Swimmers copy the teacher or a leader's stroke on poolside – a quick way to practise switching arm and leg actions.
  • Stroke Detective – Pairs take turns as 'detectives' watching a partner swim with a simple checklist, then give one clue to improve.
  • Stroke Scramble – Swimmers change stroke whenever the teacher calls – instant, controlled switches with the right body position for each stroke.
  • Technique Relay – A team relay where points are awarded for technique points the teacher calls – fast swimmers with poor technique don't win.
  • Technique Treasure Hunt – Cards around the pool edge each hold a technique task; swimmers find a card, do the task well and collect a treasure token.
  • Thumbs Up, Pinkies In – A simple rhyme for backstroke hands: thumb leaves the water first, little finger enters first.
  • Travelling Bobs – Swimmers bob across the pool – under to breathe out, up to breathe in – building a breathing rhythm for swimming.
  • Windmill Arms – Swimmers learn the alternating front crawl arm action standing and walking before trying it swimming.