← Back to Exercise Catalog

AQUATIC STRATEGY TEAM CHALLENGE

Use complex, team-based aquatic games to train high-level functional movement, coordination, and social problem solving.

Focus Full Body
Environment Leisure or therapy pool with shallow play area and adequate space for group games
Pool Depth Partially Anchored
Supervision Required
Equipment Yes

How to Perform

  1. Divide participants into two small teams in chest-deep water and identify clear boundaries and scoring zones.
  2. Explain a simple objective such as transporting a kickboard or floating object to a goal area while the other team attempts to gently tag the carrier.
  3. Require players to use only walking or gentle jogging in the water and to pass the object to teammates frequently.
  4. Rotate roles so all players experience carrying, defending, and moving into space, pausing between rounds for strategy discussion and rest.
  5. Adjust rules and field size to keep play safe, cooperative, and challenging without excessive contact.

Key Execution Cues

Remember: Communicate with teammates, keep movements controlled even when moving fast, and watch both the object and other players.

Safety & Precautions

Important: Suitable only for youth who follow multi-step instructions and tolerate fast-paced group play; adapt rules to cognitive and behavioral profiles.

Additional Safety Notes: Enforce non-contact or light-contact rules, maintain high supervision, and stop or modify the game immediately if behavior becomes unsafe.

Exercise Modifications

Make it Harder (Progressions)

Increase game duration, add more complex objectives (such as multiple goals), or limit time for each possession to raise intensity.

Make it Easier (Regressions)

Simplify rules, reduce team size, or slow the pace by limiting movement options or field size.

Attribution

Source TypePDF
Original AuthorAnna Ogonowska-Slodownik et al.
ContributorAI Extraction Agent
PublicationAquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review
LicenseCC BY 4.0
Credit RequiredYes
Date Created2025-11-30
Last Modified2025-11-30

External Source

TypePDF
Additional InfoAdvanced functional play concept extrapolated from aquatic group games that improved behavior, social skills, and enjoyment in neurodevelopmental disorders.