ESC Northolt Group Criteria – For Guidance

All group moves are made with the advice of the relevant teaching/coaching staff. Lead House Coach has the final say.

Swimmers in teaching pool groups (Zebrafish – Barracuda) may bring own float/kickboard or one can be provided. Swimmers in main pool groups (Flyingfish and above) are expected to have own kickboard, pull buoy and short training fins and they may want a swim mesh bag to carry them in.

All swimmers should bring a water bottle (with water or other drink such as squash or isotonic drink) to all training sessions and race meets. When attending swimming competitions swimmers should have a towel to dry off between warm up and races, and once dry wear club t-shirts to stay warm and dry on poolside. ESC club hats should be worn when racing.

ESC Northolt Zebrafish

  • Enter the water safely, using steps or swivel entry.
  • Move forward for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  • Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  • Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
  • Scoop the water and wash the face.
  • Put face in the water and blow bubbles.
  • Be comfortable with water on/over their face/head.
  • Move into a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.
  • Move into a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.
  • Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall, arms by sides/streamlined.
  • Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall, arms by sides/streamlined.
  • 5 metres front crawl kicking with a woggle / 2 small floats with basic breathing control.
  • 5 metres frontcrawl kicking with one small float with basic breathing control.
  • 5 metres backstroke kicking with a woggle / 2 small floats.
  • 5 metres backstroke kicking with 1 small float.
  • Give examples of two pool rules.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.
  • Exit the water safely.

ESC Northolt Lionfish

  • Jump in from poolside safely.
  • Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.
  • Move into a flat floating position on the front for at least 5 seconds and return to standing without support.
  • Move into a flat floating position on the back for at least 5 seconds and return to standing without support.
  • Push from a wall and glide on the back with arms extended.
  • Push from a wall and glide on the front with arms extended.
  • 5 metres frontcrawl kicking with arms extended, without the use of floatation equipment. Plus blowing bubbles and taking a breath by lifting up, without stopping to breathe.
  • 5 metres backstroke kicking with arms by side, without the use of floatation equipment.
  • 5 metres backstroke with correct arm action & with arms clearing the water.
  • 5 metres frontcrawl with correct arm action & with arms clearing the water. Plus blowing bubbles and taking a breath by lifting up, without stopping to breathe.
  • Introduction to breaststroke kick – to be performed to a basic level.
  • Perform a star float and pencil float on front.
  • Perform a star float and pencil float on back
  • Perform a log roll from the front to the back.
  • Perform a log roll from the back to the front.
  • Take part in class games appropriately.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.
  • Exit the water safely without support.

ESC Northolt Starfish

  • Jump in from poolside and submerge into a minimum depth of 1 metre.
  • Sink, push off the wall and maintain a streamlined position on front.
  • Push and glide on the front with arms extended and hold for 3 seconds.
  • Push and glide on the back with arms extended and hold for 3 seconds.
  • Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back whilst maintaining the shape.
  • Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front whilst maintaining the shape.
  • Travel 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back without putting the feet down.
  • Fully submerge to pick up an object.
  • Push and glide and kick 10 metres on the front with arms streamlined. Plus blowing bubbles and taking a breath by lifting up, without stopping to breathe.
  • Push and glide and kick 10 metres on the back with arms streamlined.
  • Push and glide and swim 10 metres full stroke front crawl, whilst breathing to the side regularly.
  • Push and glide and swim 10 metres full stroke backstroke with correct body position and correct arm action.
  • 5 metres breaststroke kick using a woggle / 2 floats with correct leg action and feet shape.
  • Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
  • Correctly identify three of the four key Swim England water safety messages.
  • The four key Swim England water safety messages include:
    • Always swim in a safe place.
    • Always swim with an adult.
    • If you fall in, float, breathe, and relax.
    • If someone else in trouble, call 999 or Emergency Number outside UK
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.
  • Exit the water without using steps.

ESC Northolt Goldfish

  • Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.
  • Perform a 10 second star float on the front and on the back.
  • Perform a 10 second pencil float on the front and on the back.
  • Perform a 10 second tuck / mushroom float.
  • Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
  • Push and glide and kick 15 metres on the front with arms streamlined. Plus blowing bubbles and taking a breath regularly by lifting up, without stopping to breathe.
  • Push and glide and kick 15 metres on the back with arms streamlined.
  • 10 metres butterfly kick on the front or on the back with arms by side / streamlined.
  • 15 metres breaststroke on the back using a woggle / 2 floats with correct leg action, feet shapes and a glide at the end of each kick.
  • 15 metres breaststroke on the front using a woggle / 2 floats with correct leg action, feet shapes and a glide at the end of each kick.
  • Push and glide and swim 15m fullstroke frontcrawl with correct leg action, correct arm action and with regular side breathing.
  • Push and glide and swim 15m fullstroke backstroke with correct leg action, good body & head position and correct arm action.
  • Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  • Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.
  • Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Sea Horse

  • Perform a 15 second float on the front and on the back.
  • Perform a 15 second tuck / mushroom float.
  • Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
  • Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  • Tread water for 30 seconds.
  • Push and glide on front with correct streamlined shape and hold for a minimum 3 seconds.
  • Push and glide on back with correct streamlined shape and hold for a minimum 3 seconds.
  • Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.
  • Push and glide and swim 20 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, good body & head position and correct arm action.
  • Push and glide and swim 20 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, correct arm action and with regular side breathing.
  • Push and glide and swim 15 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct arm pulls, leg kicks, feet shapes and a good understanding of breaststroke timing.
  • Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards) with good simultaneous leg action, body position and simultaneous arm pulls.
  • Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
  • Perform a forward somersault.
  • Demonstrate an action for getting help.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Barracuda

  • Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
  • Perform a frontcrawl start:
    • Sink, push off on front from the wall, glide, butterfly kick and breakout into frontcrawl for 3 stroke cycles.
  • Perform a backstroke start:
    • Push off on back from the wall, move underwater, glide, butterfly kick and breakout into backstroke for 3 stroke cycles.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a froncrawl start and swim 30m frontcrawl (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, correct arm action and with regular side breathing.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a backstroke start and swim 30m backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, good body & head position and correct arm action.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a breaststroke start and swim 30m breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct arm pulls, leg kicks, feet shapes and with correct breaststroke timing.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a butterfly start and swim 15m butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards) with good simultaneous leg action, body position and simultaneous arm pulls.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a froncrawl or backstroke start and swim 60m frontcrawl or backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  • Perform correct finishes on all 4 strokes.
  • Perform a somersault.
  • Takes part in races (individual and team).
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Flyingfish

  • Push off from the wall downwards underwater, glide, butterfly kick and into front crawl breakout strokes.
  • Push off on back from the wall, glide, and into backstroke breakout strokes.
  • Perform a breaststroke underwater phase correctly with a streamlined glide phase.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a froncrawl start and swim 50m frontcrawl (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, correct arm action and with regular side breathing.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a backstroke start and swim 50m backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct leg action, good body & head position and correct arm action.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a breaststroke start and swim 50m breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards) with correct arm pulls, leg kicks, feet shapes and with correct breaststroke timing.
  • Push & Glide / Perform a butterfly start and swim 25m butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards) with good simultaneous leg action, body position and simultaneous arm pulls with arms clearing the water in recovery phase.
  • Swim using correct lane etiquette.
  • Perform a surface dive from minimum of 1m.
  • Perform a kneeling dive from poolside, glide and perform underwater phase to 5m.
  • Introduce
    • Perform a backstroke turn.
    • Perform a front crawl turn.
    • Perform a breaststroke turn.
    • Perform a butterfly turn.
    • Relay takeovers.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Turtles

  • Perform a front crawl turn from 10 metres in to 10 metres out (Swim, Turn, Underwater phase and breakout into stroke).
  • Perform a backstroke turn from 10 metres in to 10 metres out (Swim, Turn, Underwater phase and breakout into stroke).
  • Perform a breaststroke turn from 10 metres in to 10 metres out (Swim, Turn, Underwater phase and breakout into stroke).
  • Perform a butterfly turn from 10 metres in to 10 metres out (Swim, Turn, Underwater phase and breakout into stroke).
  • Perform a standing dive from the poolside and glide to at least 5m.
  • Perform a backstroke start using the block, with streamlined shape and underwater phase to 5m and breakout into stroke.
  • Understand and be able to use the pace clock.
  • Kick 50m on each stroke (25m on butterfly) with/without using a kickboard.
  • Complete a set lasting 200m on a specific turnaround time set by the coach.
  • Introduce
    • Fly to backstroke touch turn.
    • Basic backstroke to breaststroke touch turn.
    • Breaststroke to freestyle touch turn.
  • Take part in relay races and have a good understanding of the rules for relays.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Otters

  • Perform a front crawl start, with butterfly kicks in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the wall. Transfer into stroke and swim 100m frontcrawl to a good standard.
  • Perform a backstroke start, with butterfly kicks in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the wall. Transfer into stroke and swim 100m backstroke to a good standard.
  • Perform a breaststroke start, including a breaststroke underwater phase up to a maximum of 15m from the wall. Transfer into stroke and swim 100m breaststroke to a good standard.
  • Perform a butterfly start, with butterfly kicks in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15 metres from the wall. Transfer into stroke and swim 50m butterfly to a good standard.
  • Kick 50m on each stroke correctly with/without using a kickboard, without fins.
  • 8 x 25m timed sprints maintaining good technique.
  • Swim a continuous 100 individual medley using legal turns.
  • Complete a set lasting 400m on a specific turnaround time set by the coach using the pace clock.
  • Swim continuously 200m using one stroke.
  • Perform a standing dive from poolside with correct streamlined shape and complete underwater phase and transfer into stroke. All strokes to be performed.
  • Perform a backstroke start using the pool edge/top with correct streamlined shape, complete underwater phase and transfer into stroke.
  • Perform relay take overs correctly during relay races.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Stingrays

  • Perform a standing dive (using a grab start or track start) from a block and complete underwater phase correctly and transfer into stroke. All strokes to be performed to a good standard with streamlined shape.
  • Perform a backstroke start using block, complete underwater phase correctly and transfer into stroke. Performed to a good standard, in a streamlined shape.
  • Complete all turns using correct underwater phases.
  • 8 by 100m frontcrawl maintaining times with reduced rest.
  • Swim a continuous 100 Individual Medley using legal turns and whilst maintaining good stroke technique.
  • Complete a set lasting 800m on a specific turnaround time set by the coach using the pace clock.
  • Perform a relay take over, as an incoming & outgoing swimmer correctly for all strokes.
  • Perform 25m head first and feet first sculling.
  • Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
  • Have a good understanding of swimming competition rules.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Alligators

  • All strokes to be consistently of good quality, technically correct and to a good, competitive standard.
  • Able to maintain a good pace throughout a set using a pace clock as instructed by the coach.
  • Able to maintain stroke technique on longer distance swims. I.E. 400m for freestyle / 200m on other strokes (100m on butterfly).
  • Swim a continuous 200 Individual Medley using legal turns and whilst maintaining good stroke technique.
  • Have an advanced understanding of swimming competition rules.
  • Swim skills all to be consistently of high quality, technically correct and to a competitive standard.
    • Racing starts on all strokes to a good level, consistently.
    • Turns on all strokes to a good level, consistently.
    • Underwater phases correct and able to perform good breakouts phases.
    • Finishes on all strokes to be consistently, technically correct.
  • Introduce
    • Backstroke to breaststroke flip turns
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

ESC Northolt Killer Whales

  • All strokes to be consistently of high quality, technically correct and to a very good competitive standard.
  • Perform a continuous 800m swim on freestyle (200m on other strokes), focused on technique, to a very good standard. To be performed on each stroke & medley.
  • Able to maintain a strong pace throughout a set using a pace clock as instructed by the coach.
  • Able to maintain stroke technique on longer distance swims. I.E. 800m for freestyle.
  • Have an advanced understanding of swimming competition rules.
  • Swim skills all to be consistently of high quality, technically correct and to a competitive standard.
    • Racing starts on all strokes to a very good, refined level.
    • Turns on all strokes and medley turns all to a very good, refined level.
    • Refined backstroke to breaststroke flip turns.
    • Underwater phases correct and able to perform strong breakouts phases.
    • Finishes on all strokes to be consistently, technically correct.
  • Concentrate, listen and carry out instructions given, consistently during sessions.

Preliminary Competitive Start Award Section 1 (From poolside at deep end min 1.5m depth)

  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a frontcrawl leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a butterfly leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a breaststroke arm pull and leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform a backstroke start using the side/rail followed by a backstroke kick to the surface.

Preliminary Competitive Start Award Section 2 (From block at deep end min 1.5m depth)

  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a glide of 5m.
  • Perform one grab start and one track start followed by a frontcrawl leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform one grab start and one track start followed by butterfly leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform one grab start and one track start followed by a breaststroke arm pull and leg kick to the surface.
  • Perform a wind up start for a stroke decided by the examiner.
  • Perform a backstroke start using the starting block followed by a backstroke kick to the surface.

Preliminary Competitive Start Award Section 3 (From poolside at deep end min 1.5m depth)

  • Same as Preliminary Award section 2 but to be performed from poolside or side/rail for backstroke starts (1.35 min depth)

Competitive Start Award Section 1 (from poolside, 1.35m min depth).

  • Perform a track start followed by a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a backstroke start followed by a butterfly leg kick to the surface.

Competitive Start Award Section 2 (from block, 1.35m min depth).

  • Perform a shallow dive followed by a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a wind up start with a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a grab start with a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a track start with a glide of at least 5m.
  • Perform a backstroke start using a starting block followed by a butterfly kick to the surface.
  • Perform a min 3 additional starts, under normal starting conditions, as decided by the examiner, showing the appropriate transition into the swimming stroke. One of the starts included must be for the breaststroke.