Pool games for confidence

Setup

1. Shallow end at standing depth for the smallest learner; use the wall and a lane rope to fence the playing area so everyone stays inside it.
2. A qualified teacher on deck where the whole group can be seen at once, and helpers in the water for the youngest or most nervous.
3. Teach the stop signal first (a whistle or a raised hand): everyone stops, stands and looks at the teacher.

How it runs

1. Traffic lights: green, walk or kick across; amber, hop like a frog; red, stop and stand still; blue, face in and blow bubbles; purple, star float.
2. Bubble circle: hands joined in a ring, walk round singing, and on the last word everyone puts the face in and blows bubbles for a moment.
3. Treasure hunt: toys on the steps or in water shallow enough to reach with the face in briefly; collect one at a time and bring it to the wall.
4. Noodle horses: sit astride a noodle and ride across the width, kicking the legs and sculling with the hands.
5. Finish calm: everyone star floats, with floats if needed, while the teacher counts to five.

Coaching points

• Keep each game short and change it often; stop while it's still fun.
• Every game ends on the stop signal; practise it until the whole group freezes at once.
• Praise having a go rather than winning; nervous learners can play holding the wall.
• No games about staying under longest: face-in moments are brief, with a breath in between.

Common mistakes

• A playing area so big the teacher can't see everyone at a glance.
• Running in the water and slipping over; walk, hop or kick instead.
• Racing games that pull nervous learners towards deeper water.