Name
Christmas Presents
Core Skill
This game reinforces the basic skills of swimming, including streamlining, breathing, kicking, and stroke technique. It challenges swimmers to perform under pressure and execute proper form.
Who
This game is designed for developmental swim team swimmers who are at least Level 4. That means they can swim 25 yards of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and perform flip turns and open turns.
What
The coach needs a red sack filled with cheap gifts or candy — “Santa’s Sack” full of presents for people on the Nice list. Also prepare a list of simple swimming challenges that swimmers must complete. Example challenges:
- A 25 freestyle with a perfect streamline
- A 50 backstroke with streamlines underwater to the flags and a legal finish
- A 25 breaststroke with a two-hand touch and a legal pullout
- A 25 butterfly with a legal kick and no breathing
- A 100 IM with legal turns and finishes
- A 50 kick of any stroke with a board
- A 25 underwater dolphin kick with fins
- A 50 drill of any stroke with proper technique
- A 25 sprint of any stroke with a dive start
- A 50 choice of any stroke with no breathing
- Do a handstand with legs together for 2 seconds that turns into a flip, ending with feet on the ground standing in streamline without touching anything else
- Push off the wall in airplane position and get past the flags without kicking or touching the ground
- Do a streamline underwater to the flags and perform 2 fly kicks on each side of the body without touching the surface
- Swim to halfway in under 5 seconds
For each challenge, the coach explains the criteria and demonstrates the skill if needed. Swimmers attempt the challenge one by one or in small groups, depending on pool space and number of participants. The coach observes, evaluates, and gives feedback. For each successfully completed challenge, the swimmer blindly takes something from Santa’s Sack. Swimmers should not open their presents until the end of the game.
How
The coach decides the order and number of challenges based on time and skill level. Also decide how many attempts each swimmer gets per challenge, and whether they can retry a failed challenge later. Keep track of progress and remaining presents. Encourage swimmers to cheer for each other and have fun.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
- Swimmers may not understand instructions or criteria — provide more clarification or demonstration.
- Swimmers may get frustrated or discouraged after failing a challenge — offer encouragement and guidance.
- Swimmers may get bored or distracted while waiting — keep them engaged with variety or quick turns.
- Swimmers may argue about fairness of evaluation — explain your reasoning clearly and consistently.
- Swimmers may not like their presents or want to trade — foster appreciation and respect for the game.
