Intermediate Swimming Lesson 4

Lesson Summary

Learning Intentions

  • Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
  • Attempt to perform a surface dive
  • Pick up an object from the bottom of the pool

Skill Development Surface dive

Success Criteria

  • I can hold a tuck float for 5 seconds
  • I can touch the bottom of the pool with my hands
  • I can pick up objects from the pool floor

We are Learning...

to tuck, float and collect objects from the bottom of the pool.

Curriculum Links

L Describe how your body needs to move differently to float on the surface or to go underwater

N Float and count to 5 seconds, then try estimating the time without counting out loud

NC Develop confidence and control by learning to submerge and retrieve objects from the pool floor

Equipment

  • Floats
  • Weighted objects to collect
  • Hoops

Key Questions

  • How does stretching and straightening your body help you reach to the bottom of the pool?
  • Why is it helpful to reach your arms out when trying to touch the pool floor?
  • Can you think of any water activities where you might use a surface dive?

Tuck Float

An image accompanying this article.

Teaching Points

✔︎ Tuck Float

  • Pull your knees up to your chest and hug your legs with your arms.
  • Take a deep breath and gently tip forward so your face goes into the water.
  • Tuck your chin to your chest to help stay balanced.
  • Keep your body small and rounded to stay afloat more easily.
  • Relax your muscles—especially your back and shoulders—to help you float smoothly.

Teaching Points

✔︎ Surface Dive

  • Take 1–2 deep breaths to prepare.
  • Float on your front with your face in the water.
  • Tuck your knees in to start tipping your body forward.
  • Sweep your arms in a breaststroke motion to help push downward.
  • Stretch into a long, straight line, pointing your body toward the bottom of the pool.
  • Keep your arms extended in front of your head to protect yourself and stay streamlined.

Lesson Content

Starter Activity

Before starting the lesson, remind children of the safety rules around the pool.

Turn the Mill

How to Play:

  • Children stand in a circle, all facing the same direction.
  • On the teacher’s cue, the group begins walking around the circle.
  • The teacher chants:
  • “We count to 10, and the mill stands still… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!” — On 10, everyone stops.
  • “We count to 100 and then go under… 10, 20, 30… 100!” — On 100, everyone dips their head under the water.
  • “We count to 1000 and the mill goes zoom… 100, 200… 1000!” — On 1000, everyone runs quickly in the same direction.
  • Repeat as many times as suits the group. Once familiar, children can join in with the chant.

Extension:

  • Add changes of direction, jumps, or other movements between counts.

Skill Development

Skill Focus: Surface Dive

Why it’s important: Being able to surface dive helps swimmers reach the bottom of the pool safely and effectively—without needing to dive or jump in. This skill is useful for many water-based activities, such as water hockey, diving, or object retrieval.

To surface dive well, swimmers should first be confident performing a tuck (or mushroom) float with their face in the water.

Tuck Float & Shape Transitions

Step 1: Tuck Float Practice

  • Ask pupils to practise the tuck float using teaching points (knees to chest, arms around legs, chin tucked, body relaxed).

Step 2: Shape Float Game

  • Pupils start in one float position (e.g. star float), then smoothly move into a tuck float.

Progressions / Variations:

  • Star float on back ➝ tuck float
  • Star float on front ➝ tuck float
  • Push and glide ➝ tuck float
  • Touch the bottom with feet ➝ push up into tuck
  • Jump from the side ➝ submerge into tuck
  • Exhale while in tuck ➝ sink to the bottom

Any other fun variations you can think of!

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Activity

Surface dive progressions – Begin by helping swimmers find the correct body position: bring knees up, tip the body forward, and start to submerge the head. As confidence grows, encourage a stronger pull downwards and a more streamlined position.

Progressions

  • Body Position Practice – Focus on tucking knees and tipping forward into a streamlined dive.
  • Swim Through Hoops – Swimmers hold hoops at different depths for others to dive through.
  • Touch the Pool Floor – Practise diving and touching the bottom with one or both hands.
  • Collect Light Objects – Pick up small, light items from the pool floor.
  • Collect Heavier Objects – Progress to retrieving objects with more weight for a greater challenge.
  • Increase Depth – Place objects at deeper points in the pool.
  • Multiple Object Retrieval – Challenge swimmers to collect two or more objects in one dive.
A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content