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Push and Glide Races

Feel how a tight streamline carries you off the wall to the flags.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Take a normal breath and push off the wall in a tight streamline.

Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
Just you
Space
Pool
Bring
Pool
Level · skill
Beginner · Speed

The steps

How it works

  1. Take a normal breath and push off the wall in a tight streamline.
  2. Glide to the flags and come up there, or sooner if you want air.
  3. Notice which arm squeeze made the glide feel smoothest.
  4. Do 8 with an easy breath at the wall between each.

Coaching point

Squeeze your ears with your arms.

Safety: Only swim with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. Breathe normally before you go under, never take extra fast breaths or hold your breath to go further, and come up as soon as you want air.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Pool-deck follow-the-leader: one person leads a dryland movement and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (slower or smaller), Core (as written), More (one extra twist). Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Story

You are an explorer crossing the pool deck like a jungle.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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