Game version
Picture-it pairs: on the deck, tell your partner what your perfect swim looks like, then swap. Breathe slowly together first.
Goal Pace Rehearsal
Practice swimming at exactly your goal race pace so it feels familiar on race day.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Work out your goal time per length.
Core: Three. Beat your own calm.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Pool, pace clock
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Race Mindset
The steps
How it works
- Work out your goal time per length.
- Swim 6 lengths one at a time, each at that exact pace.
- Rest 30 seconds between.
- Count how many were within one second.
Coaching point
Feel the pace; do not chase it.
Safety: Only swim with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (one deep breath), Core (three), More (picture a full swim). Beat your own calm.
Story
You are a movie director picturing your best swim.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own calm. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
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An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.