The fastest way to revive a tired swim class


What’s the one thing that can instantly re-energise a tired swim class?

Hi there,

Mark here - hope you’re doing well.

Over the years I’ve found that no matter how much experience we’ve got as swimming teachers, a few simple tweaks can make a huge difference to how our lessons run—and how much our swimmers get out of them.

I’ve pulled together some of my best tips that I use myself, and I thought you might like to try them out in your own lessons:

My Top Tips for Better Swim Lessons

Know your swimmers
Are they nervous? Confident? Beginners? Understanding this shapes the whole lesson.

Use equipment creatively
Kickboards, noodles, toys — even changing the drill order can refresh a class.

Use games to teach skills
Children especially learn best when they’re playing.

Be patient with adults
Confidence often needs to come before technique.

Build confidence gradually
Celebrate small wins before moving on.

Give regular feedback
Highlight what went well as well as what to improve.

Want more ideas like these? Explore my books here


A few quick ideas you can try next week:

  • “Equipment of the week” – explore fins one lesson, noodles the next.
  • Warm-up games that sneak in technique (like water “Simon Says”).
  • Mid-lesson “confidence check” – ask how they’re feeling, and adjust on the spot.

These are just a few of the little things that can transform a lesson.

If you’d like a bank of ready-to-use ideas, drills, and lesson structures, I’ve put everything I’ve learned over 30 years into my books for swimming teachers. They’re designed to help you deliver better lessons - whether you’re brand new to teaching or just looking for fresh ideas.

Then:

👉 Take a look at my collection of teaching books here


I hope these tips spark some fresh ideas for you. Let me know if you try any of them - I always love hearing how they work in other teachers’ lessons.

Happy teaching,
Mark

P.S. Ever wondered how it’s possible to fit 101 lesson plans into one book? You can preview the full list of lessons here.

Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.

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