Stroke Technique Race: Combining Technique Drills in a Fun Game

Turn Skill Building Into a Thrilling Competition — Where Technique Meets Teamwork and Laughter 

Swim drills are essential — but let’s be honest: they can feel repetitive. “Fist drill. Catch-up. Fingertip drag. Again?” For many swimmers, especially kids and teens, technique work becomes a chore — something to endure before the “real” swimming begins.

What if, instead of dreading drills, your swimmers begged for them?

Enter the Stroke Technique Race — a dynamic, high-energy game that transforms isolated technique drills into a thrilling, team-based relay where speed, precision, and fun collide. It’s not just about swimming faster — it’s about swimming smarter, with joy.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to run the Stroke Technique Race — a customizable, adaptable, and wildly effective game that builds flawless technique, fosters camaraderie, and turns your pool into a playground of progress.

🏁 What Is the Stroke Technique Race?

The Stroke Technique Race is a relay-style game where swimmers complete a sequence of technique drills — one after another — in a single length of the pool. Each swimmer must complete their assigned drill perfectly before tagging the next teammate. Points are awarded for speed, accuracy, and teamwork.

It’s not a race to see who’s fastest — it’s a race to see who can swim with the best form under pressure.

“The best technique isn’t learned in silence — it’s earned in laughter.”  

🎯 Why It Works: The Science of Fun Learning

The Stroke Technique Race leverages three powerful learning principles:   

Active Engagement	Swimmers are physically and mentally engaged — no passive watching
Gamification	Points, teams, and competition trigger dopamine and motivation
Repetition with Purpose	Drills are repeated, but in a dynamic, memorable context

💡 Studies show that children retain 75% of what they do — versus 10% of what they hear.  

🛠️ How to Run the Stroke Technique Race (Step-by-Step)

✅ Step 1: Choose Your Drills (Pick 4–6)

Select drills that target key stroke weaknesses. Mix strokes for variety!        

Fist Drill	Freestyle	Forearm catch, high elbow
Catch-Up Drill	Freestyle	Timing, body rotation
Fingertip Drag	Freestyle	High elbow recovery
6-Kick Switch	Backstroke	Body rotation, balance
Vertical Kick	Breaststroke	Hip-driven kick, compact motion
3-2-1 Timing Drill	Breaststroke	Pull-breathe-kick-glide rhythm
Streamline Kick	Butterfly	Core undulation, body line
One-Arm Fly	Butterfly	Arm timing, body wave

✅ Tip: Use 4 drills for beginners, 6 for advanced swimmers.  

✅ Step 2: Set Up the Relay Format

• Divide swimmers into teams of 4–6  

• Each swimmer swims one length (25m or 50m) and performs one drill  

• After completing their drill, they tag the next teammate at the wall

• No tag = no point  

• Poor form = redo (coach decides — no arguments!) 

🏁 Example Format (50m relay):Swimmer 1: 25m Fist Drill → TagSwimmer 2: 25m 6-Kick Switch → TagSwimmer 3: 25m Catch-Up Drill → TagSwimmer 4: 25m Fingertip Drag → Finish  

✅ Step 3: Define the Rules     

Perfect Form Required	If coach sees a flaw (e.g., bent elbow in fist drill), swimmer must redo the length
Tag Must Be Hand-to-Hand	No diving, no pushing — clean, safe transition
No Talking During Swim	Focus on technique, not chatter
Team Captain Calls “Go!”	Encourages leadership and accountability
Bonus Points	Awarded for flawless form, teamwork, or best “coach’s choice”

✅ Step 4: Add the Fun Factor

• Theme It Up: “Olympic Relay,” “Superhero Stroke Challenge,” “Dolphin Dash”

• Use Props: Glow sticks, colored caps, pool noodles as batons

• Add Music: Play upbeat songs during warm-up or between heats

• Award Prizes: “Best Technique,” “Most Improved,” “Best Team Spirit” — not just fastest 

🎉 Pro Tip: Let swimmers vote for “Best Drill Performer” after each round!  

📅 Sample Stroke Technique Race (45 Minutes)

Warm-Up (10 min):

• 400m easy choice

• 4 x 50m drills (one of each planned race drill) 

Game Setup (5 min):

• Divide into teams

• Assign drills to each swimmer

• Review rules and cues 

The Race (20 min):

• 3 rounds of the Stroke Technique Race (different drill order each round)

• Each round: 2–3 teams race simultaneously

• Coach judges form — use a clipboard to mark “Perfect!” or “Redo” 

Cool-Down & Celebration (10 min):

• 200m easy swim

• Team huddle: “Who showed the best technique today?”

• Award silly trophies (e.g., “Golden Fingertip,” “Master of the Glide”)

• Group photo with pool noodles as medals! 

🧠 Coaching Cues That Make It Click

🏊‍♀️ “Fist drill isn’t about speed — it’s about feeling the water with your forearm.”

🔄 “Catch-up isn’t waiting — it’s syncing your body with your stroke.”

🌊 “6-kick switch? It’s not a kick — it’s a roll.”

🐸 “3-2-1 isn’t a count — it’s a rhythm your body learns.”

🎯 “This isn’t a race to win — it’s a race to learn.”  

📈 Why This Drill Builds Better Swimmers     

Technique Mastery	Repeats drills in context — not in isolation
Accountability	Teammates depend on you — no hiding bad form
Focus Under Pressure	Swimmers perform drills while racing — simulates race-day focus
Team Bonding	Celebrates collective success over individual speed
Joyful Repetition	Swimmers ask to play again — because it’s fun

⚠️ Common Mistakes — And How to Fix Them     

Too much focus on winning	Emphasize “technique points” over speed — award points for form, not time
Coaches being too harsh	Use “Redo” as a learning tool — never a punishment. Say: “Let’s try it again — you’ve got this!”
Teams too uneven	Mix skill levels — strong swimmers help beginners
No clear rules	Write rules on a whiteboard. Have swimmers repeat them back
Skipping cool-down	Always end with reflection — “What did you learn?”

🌟 Adapt for Any Age or Level    

Ages 6–9	Use 3 drills max, add toys or songs, keep distances to 25m
Ages 10–15	Add 5–6 drills, introduce timing, let teams design their own drill order
Masters/Adults	Use IM order drills (fly, back, breast, free), add “no goggles” round for challenge
Adaptive Swimmers	Modify drills — e.g., “Arm-Leading Breaststroke” or “Kick with Noodle”

Final Thoughts

The Stroke Technique Race isn’t just a game — it’s a revolution in swim coaching. It turns the most tedious part of training into the most anticipated. It turns isolation into teamwork. It turns correction into celebration.

You don’t need fancy equipment. You don’t need a big pool. You just need a little creativity and a whole lot of heart.

So gather your teams.Pick your drills.Set the rules.And let the race begin.

Because the best swimmers aren’t just fast —they’re technically brilliant, emotionally connected, and full of joy.

Drill. Race. Learn. Repeat. 

Because in the water, the best technique isn’t taught — it’s played. 💙🏊‍♂️