Fill the Bucket, Empty the Bucket – A Fun Relay Game for Swim Lessons

Name

Fill the Bucket, Empty the Bucket

Core Skill

This challenge improves swimmers’streamline,arm strokes,back float, andcoordination.

Who

Suitable for swimmers ofLevels 1 to 4. Can be done intwo separate lanesor inone lanewith an even number of swimmers.

What

Swimmers are divided intotwo teams: one team tries tofilla large bucket (the reservoir) with water, and the other team tries toemptyit. Each team has a small bucket to transfer water from and to the reservoir.

Small Buckets:

Reservoir Bucket (Large)

How

1. The instructor sets upbenchesfor Levels 1 and 2, and usesno benchesfor Levels 3 and 4.
2. Place the reservoir bucket on thedeck. This bucket must be larger than the small buckets used to fill and empty it.
3. Give each team a small bucket and assign them alane. If using one lane, order swimmers in alternating lines (1 = Fill, 2 = Empty, 3 = Fill, 4 = Empty).
4. Explain the rules and objective clearly before starting.
5. Start the challenge and keep track ofroundsand thewater levelin the reservoir.
6. Swimmers take turns as follows:
7. The challenge ends after10 roundsor when one team reaches thewinning condition:

Difficulties Instructors Might Face

1. Swimmers may have troublebalancingthe small bucket while swimming or floating, spilling or dropping water.
2. Swimmers may strugglecoordinatingwith teammates, especially in one lane where they must switch sides.
3. Swimmers might getdistractedorboredby the repetitive nature of the challenge, losing interest or motivation.
4. The instructor may find it hardmonitoringperformance, safety, and water level simultaneously, requiring adjustments on the fly.