Crocodiles

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Recommended: 1–2 sessions per week
Typical time in group: 1–3 terms
Session length: 30 minutes

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Purpose

The Crocodiles squad is the starting point of our Swimzone pathway and is designed for young swimmers who are ready to build greater confidence, independence and skill in the water.

This group focuses on water safety, body awareness, confidence, and the foundations of correct swimming technique in a fun, positive and supportive training environment.

At this stage, we want swimmers to enjoy being in the water while also learning how to move efficiently and safely. Crocodiles introduces the habits and basic technical skills that swimmers will use throughout the rest of the Swimzone pathway.

The emphasis is not simply on swimming lengths. We focus on teaching swimmers how to control their body in the water, hold a good streamline, kick effectively, breathe correctly and begin developing sound technique across the different strokes.

Every drill has a purpose and every session is designed to gradually build confidence, coordination, fitness and skill.

Crocodiles is our foundational development squad — ideal for young swimmers who are ready to begin shaping solid stroke technique and learning how to train as part of a lane and a group.

Equipment Needed

Swimmers should bring the correct equipment to each session so they are ready to participate fully in the programme.

• Goggles

• Swim cap

• Drink bottle

• Fins

• Well-fitted swimwear

Coach’s Goals

While swimmers are in Crocodiles, our coaches work towards developing the following skills and habits:

• Build confidence in the water and improve overall body position.

• Teach freestyle catch-up technique and introduce correct breathing using a 2-stroke breathing rhythm.

• Introduce straight-arm backstroke technique and encourage a steady, continuous kick.

• Improve streamline push-offs from the wall and develop stronger kicking skills.

• Introduce dolphin kick and basic underwater movement.

• Teach lane etiquette, including how to swim safely with others, how to leave the wall correctly and how to follow the swimmer in front.

• Develop teamwork and good training habits within the group.

• Teach swimmers to listen to and follow coach instructions.

• Introduce the basic breaststroke kick on both the back and the front.

• Introduce butterfly kick and simple butterfly drills.

• Introduce basic standing dives.

• Use roly polys and other drills to help develop body control, confidence and underwater awareness.

• Use fins as a training tool to help swimmers develop stronger kicking, better body position and confidence with new skills.

Skills Required to Graduate

Before progressing from Crocodiles into the Alligators group, swimmers should be able to demonstrate the following skills with reasonable consistency.

• Complete a 5 metre streamline push-off with good body position.

• Swim 50 metres freestyle using catch-up technique with correct breathing.

• Swim 50 metres backstroke with a steady and continuous kick.

• Complete 15 metres of breaststroke kick on the front.

• Complete 15–25 metres of butterfly kick using the 3 kicks, 1 arm drill.

• Perform a basic standing dive with confidence.

• Perform roly polys and basic underwater body-control drills.

• Swim approximately 600 metres during a 30-minute workout.

• Be able to lead a lane when asked.

• Follow the coach’s instructions and understand basic lane etiquette.

• Train safely and confidently alongside other swimmers.

Progression is based on the swimmer being able to demonstrate these skills consistently, rather than simply the amount of time they have spent in the group.