Game version
Picture-it pairs: on the deck, tell your partner what your perfect swim looks like, then swap. Breathe slowly together first.
Read the Pace Clock
Learn to leave on the right second and read your own time so you can manage any set.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Watch the pace clock and leave the wall on the top.
Core: Three. Beat your own calm.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Pool, pace clock
- Level · skill
- Developing · Race Mindset
The steps
How it works
- Watch the pace clock and leave the wall on the top.
- Swim one length and read the clock when you touch.
- Work out your time and leave again on the next 30.
- Do 8 and say each time out loud.
Coaching point
Eyes on the clock, own your set.
Safety: Swim only 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
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free swimming week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.