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
- The instructor sets upbenchesfor Levels 1 and 2, and usesno benchesfor Levels 3 and 4.
- Place the reservoir bucket on thedeck. This bucket must be larger than the small buckets used to fill and empty it.
- 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).
- Explain the rules and objective clearly before starting.
- Start the challenge and keep track ofroundsand thewater levelin the reservoir.
- Swimmers take turns as follows:
- The challenge ends after10 roundsor when one team reaches thewinning condition:
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
- Swimmers may have troublebalancingthe small bucket while swimming or floating, spilling or dropping water.
- Swimmers may strugglecoordinatingwith teammates, especially in one lane where they must switch sides.
- Swimmers might getdistractedorboredby the repetitive nature of the challenge, losing interest or motivation.
- The instructor may find it hardmonitoringperformance, safety, and water level simultaneously, requiring adjustments on the fly.