Name
Spider.
Core Skill
Breath control, confidence, and swimming underwater.
Who
This game is best suited for private classes with limited numbers of learners. There are two roles: one swimmer acts as the web, and another acts as the spider. The prerequisite skill is that the swimmers must be willing to swim underwater, or at least be working on developing this skill through play.
What
The "spider" attempts to navigate through the web's limbs in a corner of the pool. The goal is to pass between the web's right arm and right foot, then through to the left arm and left foot, passing between the web and the corner walls, as if threading a needle. Finally, they must come up under both legs to end up inside the web.
How
- The "web" swimmer positions themselves in a corner of the pool, holding their right hand onto one side wall and their left hand onto the other. They repeat this with their legs (right foot touching one wall, left foot touching the other). The key is to maintain space between the limbs and the corner walls.
- The "spider" swimmer attempts to swim through the web's limbs. They must swim between the right arm and right foot, then proceed to the left arm and left foot, passing between the web and the corner walls.
- The spider continues by swimming under both legs to end up inside the web.
- The challenge is to complete this entire maneuver without resurfacing for air and without touching the web at any point.
As the instructor, you can vary the spacing between the web's limbs according to the desired skill level. You can start by allowing the swimmers to touch the web and resurface for air as you hone in on the specific skills you are aiming for. As time progresses, the goal is to perform the maneuver without touch or breath.
The players should continuously switch roles.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Instructors must be mindful of safety when dealing with underwater maneuvers and varying skill levels. It is crucial to gradually increase the difficulty—from allowing contact and surfacing to requiring perfect, continuous underwater movement—to ensure all participants feel challenged but safe.