Game version
Stroke spotters: one swims a length while the partner on deck watches for one thing (long arms or a smooth kick) and shares what they liked. Swap, with an adult watching.
Float on your front like a flying hero and add a small kick to find a flat body line.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand in water your coach picks and reach both arms forward.
Core: Full stroke. Beat your own count of strokes per length by one fewer, comfortably.
The steps
Coaching point
Long arms, eyes down, hips up.
Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach.
Make it fun
Game version
Stroke spotters: one swims a length while the partner on deck watches for one thing (long arms or a smooth kick) and shares what they liked. Swap, with an adult watching.
Challenge
Pick a focus: Less (kick only), Core (full stroke), More (full stroke with a smooth breathing rhythm). Beat your own count of strokes per length by one fewer, comfortably.
Story
You are a dolphin gliding through the water with long, smooth strokes.
My best
Beat your own count of strokes per length by one fewer, comfortably. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Free for families and teams
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.