The Best Drills for Building Confidence in Young Swimmers

Helping young swimmers build confidence in the water is one of the most important foundations for long-term swimming success. Before mastering complex strokes or race techniques, kids need to feel safe, comfortable, and capable in aquatic environments.

Structured, age-appropriate drills make learning to swim fun while progressively building essential water skills. In this article, we'll highlight the best drills for boosting young swimmers’ confidence — turning hesitation into enthusiasm, and fear into joy.

🌊 Why Confidence Matters First

Before focusing on speed or form, early swim lessons must focus on comfort and control. Confident swimmers are:

• Less fearful of water submersion

• Better at learning new techniques

• More likely to practice independently

• Safer in and around water

Confidence builds resilience, body awareness, and self-trust — qualities that stick with kids for life.

🏊‍♂️ Top Drills to Build Confidence in Young Swimmers

1. Face in the Water Drill (Bubble Blowing)

Purpose: Overcome fear of submersion and promote breath control.

How to Do It:

• Have swimmers blow bubbles with mouths underwater first.

• Progress to blowing bubbles with mouths and noses submerged.

• Add songs or challenges ("Who can blow the biggest bubbles?").

✅ Teaches controlled breathing and reduces fear of water on the face.

2. Superman Glide Drill

Purpose: Introduce streamlined floating and body position.

How to Do It:

• Push off the wall with arms extended and body straight like Superman.

• Glide for as long as possible with the face in the water.

• Celebrate longer glides with fun races or stickers.

✅ Builds balance, core engagement, and introduces glide control.

3. Treasure Hunt Dive

Purpose: Develop underwater comfort and spatial awareness.

How to Do It:

• Scatter dive toys in shallow water.

• Challenge swimmers to pick up one toy at a time with their hands or feet.

• Gradually increase depth as confidence grows.

✅ Makes going underwater fun and removes anxiety around diving.

4. Floating Like a Starfish

Purpose: Teach buoyancy and relaxation on the water surface.

How to Do It:

• Encourage swimmers to float on their backs with arms and legs spread wide.

• Use phrases like “Be a quiet, floating star.”

• Support under the back if needed at first, then remove hands gradually.

✅ Promotes relaxation and teaches water balance.

5. Monkey Crawl Along the Wall

Purpose: Build water familiarity and independence.

How to Do It:

• Swimmers hold onto the pool edge with hands and “walk” sideways along the wall.

• Emphasize gripping, pulling, and moving confidently.

• Set mini-goals: reach the ladder, cross 10 feet, etc.

✅ Develops upper body strength and comfort moving in deeper water.

6. Kickboard Races

Purpose: Build propulsion skills while maintaining fun competition.

How to Do It:

• Give each swimmer a kickboard.

• Have them kick from one end of the pool to the other.

• Allow splashing and cheering to keep the mood light.

✅ Reinforces strong kicking and builds leg strength.

7. Ring Toss with Floating Hoops

Purpose: Improve aim, coordination, and swimming-to-target skills.

How to Do It:

• Float hula hoops or rings in the pool.

• Challenge kids to swim or glide through them.

• Progress from floating through hoops to diving under them.

✅ Creates motivation to move forward independently.

💬 Pro Tips for Teaching Confidence

• ✅ Keep instructions simple and positive — lots of praise for trying, not just succeeding.

• ✅ Use games to disguise technique drills and make learning fun.

• ✅ Respect each child's pace — never force submersion or fast progression.

• ✅ Celebrate small victories — even blowing bubbles deserves applause!

• ✅ Model bravery — demonstrate each drill with enthusiasm.

📋 Sample Beginner Confidence-Building Lesson Plan

Warm-Up:

• Monkey Crawl along the wall (1-2 minutes)

Skill Building:

• Bubble Blowing (2-3 minutes)

• Superman Glides (3-5 reps)

Fun Game:

• Treasure Hunt Dive (5 minutes)

Challenge:

• Kickboard Race (across the pool and back)

Cool Down:

• Starfish Floating (Relaxing, calm finish)

🏁 Final Thoughts

Building water confidence in young swimmers is about patience, playfulness, and progress, not pressure. With the right drills and encouragement, kids will learn to associate swimming with fun and success rather than fear. A confident swimmer today is a skilled, safe, and joyful swimmer tomorrow.