Name
Keeping the Line
Core Skill
Front Glide with Face in the Water
Who
Level 2 or Level 3 swimmers in a lane
What
A team game where swimmers push off the wall holding a pool noodle and try to keep it straight until they reach the flags — about 5 yards.
How
- Give each lane one pool noodle and divide the swimmers into teams of 2 or 3.
- Each team holds the edge of the wall with one hand and has two feet on the wall. With their free hand they hold the pool noodle equally spaced out along the line. The pool noodle is horizontal (parallel to the wall) and perpendicular to the lane lines.
- On the count of 3, the swimmers let go of the wall, hold the noodle with both hands, and put their face in the water. They push off together and do a streamline or front glide with their face in the water to the flags.
- The team of 2 or 3 that reaches the flags with the straightest pool noodle line wins.
- If someone goes too fast or too slow, the noodle will get wobbly or bendy, which disqualifies the team. The swimmers must “keep the line” of the noodle parallel to the wall they pushed off from.
- Repeat until everyone has participated and choose a winner based on who “keeps the line” the best.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
- Some swimmers might not be able to hold their breath for the whole distance or keep their face in the water.
- Some swimmers might not be able to push off with enough force or maintain a good body position in the water.
- Some swimmers might not cooperate with their teammates or might try to sabotage other teams.
- Some swimmers might not understand the rules or the objective of the game.
