Name

Reindeer Jumping

Core Skill

This game helps swimmers practice their fly stroke and explosive power. Fly stroke is one of the four competitive swimming strokes, also known as butterfly. It requires swimmers to move both arms simultaneously over the water, while using a dolphin kick to propel themselves forward. Explosive power is the ability to generate a large amount of force in a short time, which is useful for jumping, sprinting, and changing directions.

Who

This game is suitable for level 3 and 4 swimmers who are ages 5 and above. Level 3 and 4 swimmers are able to swim at least 25 yards of freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, and have some familiarity with fly stroke. They are also able to tread water, dive, and perform flip turns. Swimmers who are younger than 5 may not have the coordination or strength to perform fly stroke effectively.

What

This game is a fun and challenging way to practice fly stroke and explosive power. Swimmers pretend to be reindeer who are trying to fly by jumping off the bottom of the pool and doing one fly stroke in the air. The swimmer who can jump the highest and perform the best fly stroke is the winner or gets a reward.

How

To play this game, swimmers need to be in a pool that is shallow enough for them to stand on the bottom. They should coil their bodies like a spring, bending their knees and arms, and lowering their heads. Then, they should jump off the bottom as hard as they can, pushing with their legs and arms. As they jump, they should extend their arms and legs, and lift their heads. When they are in the air, they should do one fly stroke, bringing their arms over the water and then back to their sides, while kicking their legs like a dolphin. Then, they should dive back into the water, being careful to go forward and not down, to avoid hitting their arms or head on the bottom. They should repeat this process until the instructor tells them to stop or the game is over.

Difficulties the instructor may face

Some possible difficulties that the instructor may face when teaching this game are:

• Swimmers may not be able to jump high enough or do a proper fly stroke in the air. The instructor can demonstrate the correct technique and give feedback to the swimmers on how to improve their performance. The instructor can also adjust the depth of the water or the number of fly strokes required to suit the swimmers’ abilities.
• Swimmers may get tired or bored of doing the same thing over and over. The instructor can vary the game by changing the rules, such as adding a time limit, a distance goal, a relay race, or a team competition. The instructor can also encourage the swimmers to cheer for each other and have fun.
• Swimmers may injure themselves by hitting the bottom of the pool or colliding with other swimmers. The instructor can ensure that the pool is safe and clear of any obstacles or hazards. The instructor can also supervise the swimmers closely and remind them to be careful and respectful of each other. The instructor can also stop the game if any swimmer shows signs of discomfort or pain.