Top Tips

Here you’ll find  some top tips to help you to support young  swimmers stay engaged and enjoy each lesson.

Managing mixed ability

1. Group by Ability Within the Class

  • Identify this as early as possible and remember this can always change as ability changes.

2. Use Stations or Circuits

  • Set up different 'stations' around the pool with various skill focuses.

3. Offer Progressions, Regressions and Constraints 

  • Design each activity with multiple difficulty levels so swimmers can participate at their own ability level.

4. Use Peer Support

  • Pair stronger swimmers with beginners for partner activities. This builds confidence, encourages leadership and helps beginners learn through modeling.

5. Focus on Individual Goals

  • Celebrate personal progress over comparison. Highlight small wins for each swimmer — from putting their face in the water to improving arm technique.

6. Keep Everyone Moving

  • It's important that swimmers are constantly moving to keep them warm and safe.

7. Communicate Clearly & Kindly

  • Be ready to adapt. If one part of the class needs more time or a break, adjust as necessary.

8. Have a Flexible Plan

  • Things can change due to varying circumstances, adaptability is key.

9. Use Equipment Creatively

  • Noodles, kick boards and floating rings are all great for adjusting difficulty and giving swimmers something tangible to focus on.

10. Stay Positive & Patient!

Supporting Nervous Swimmers 

1. Start Slow, Go at Their Pace

  • Encourage them into an environment they know is safe and reassure them that you will go at their pace.

2. Create a Calm, Friendly Environment

  • Speak calmly and positively. Smile, maintain eye contact and use names often.

3. Establish Trust First

  • Through being friendly, build a rapport with them so they know they can trust you in the water .

4. Stay in the Water With Them

  • It's important for them to understand that you won't let anything happen to them - being close to them will help with this.

5. Use Gentle Games & Play

  • Play distracts from fear and makes water feel fun, not scary.

6. Avoid Forcing Submersion

  • Never push or pressure a nervous swimmer to put their face in or go underwater. Let them get curious on their own time.

7. Give Choices & Control

  • Let them choose: "Do you want to use the noodle or the board?" Giving control such as this builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

8. Introduce Breathing Early

  • Blowing bubbles is a great, low-pressure way to start teaching breath control. It also helps reduce panic and tension.

9. Be Consistent & Patient

  • Nervous swimmers need routine and time.

10 . Use Positive Reinforcement Often!