Artistic Movement – swimming activities

Expressive arm and body movements, patterns and simple choreography.

Activities

• Arm Shapes on the Eggbeater – Hold an upright eggbeater while making simple arm shapes above the water on counts – building the strong legs and expressive arms routines need.
• Choreography Cards – Groups draw picture cards of moves and formations to build a mini routine on the spot – creative, fun consolidation.
• 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.
• Count the Eights – Swimmers learn to count in eights (as music is counted) and start, change and finish simple movements exactly on the count.
• Create an Eight-Count Phrase – Small groups invent a short movement phrase – two or three moves over eight counts – then teach it to another group.
• 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.
• Mini Routine Showcase – Pairs or small groups perform a short routine they have built for the rest of the class – celebrating presentation, timing and creativity.
• Mirror Image Sequence – Two swimmers perform a short sequence as mirror images – one turns left while the other turns right – creating a symmetrical picture.
• Move to the Mood – Swimmers listen to two contrasting pieces of music and choose movements that match each mood – slow and flowing or bright and sharp.
• One-Arm Wave in Layout – Scull in a back layout with one hand while the other arm lifts slowly out of the water and waves – keeping the body steady as the support changes.
• Poolside Arm Rehearsal – Rehearse a routine's arm movements and counts sitting on the poolside before trying them in the water – common practice in artistic swimming.
• Presentation Posture – Practise how to look and hold yourself at the surface – tall, chin level, shoulders back, face expressive – while eggbeating or sculling.
• Rise to the Surface with Presentation – Surface from a short submersion into an upright eggbeater with chin up, a smile and a clear arm shape – showing confidence to an audience.