Pair. Swap. Two Moves, Big Payoff

If you don’t formally plan, you’re not alone. 

This is a fast structure you can use: two moves you already teach, one simple rule, and a combo you can repeat and tweak.

You know your moves, and you know your group. What you need is a way to turn what you already know into combinations that flow and give your class a clear structure. Here’s one way to create combinations that will keep you interested in teaching and keep participants engaged, without new choreography.

Where to begin: pick two moves

Choose two moves you can teach on autopilot. For this example:

• Move A: Jumping jack
• Move B: Front kick

 Why two? Two moves are enough to create interest with this format. They stimulate without overwhelming you as the instructor, and they’re simple for participants to pick up and repeat.

Use this formula first: teach the arms, teach the legs, then combine

• Arms only: Feet stable on the pool floor in a wide or split stance.
• Legs only: Hands on waist while you move the legs.
• Combine: Put the trained arm pattern with the trained leg pattern.

This is part to whole teaching. It reduces cognitive load, builds confidence in stages, and suits mixed abilities. You can apply it to both moves in the pair and repeat it later with one small change.

Worked example: Jumping jack × Front kick

What you’ve created

• A clear part to whole sequence for each move.
• Two new pairings (jack arms + kick legs; kick arms + jack legs) that change the feel without inventing new moves.
• A block you can repeat later with one small tweak.

Pool note

Always test the combos yourself. Get in the pool and check that each pairing feels comfortable, not awkward to perform, and that you can build intensity without the pattern breaking down. Check what hand position suits the action (e.g., blade vs cup). You want it to be different enough to capture attention without forcing two moves together in a way that feels clunky.

Why this works

• Lower cognitive load: Arms and legs are learned separately, then integrated.
• Useful “neurobics”: Swapping expected pairings creates small novelty that sharpens attention without changing the toolbox.
• Standard teaching: Feet stable for arms-only; hands on waist for legs-only. The consistent set-up shortens the learning curve.
• Easy to scale: Add one change to both moves later (e.g., hand position, travel, or level).

Troubleshooting in the pool

• Awkward feel on the swap? Change arm action then try again.
• Coordination challenge? Return to arms-only or legs-only for a few counts, then recombine.

Build a small library you actually reuse

Create a one-page table you can glance at before class:

• Pair: e.g., Jack + Kick
• Layer used: hand position / travel / level
• Swap tested: jack arms + kick legs; kick arms + jack legs

Take this further with Aqua Little Combos

If you liked the arm–leg swap strategy, you’ll love what else is possible. In AQUA Little Combos, you’ll explore three powerful ways to combine familiar moves, learn how to layer for intensity and interest, and get fresh templates you can adapt again and again. It’s practical, tested, and built for instructors who want smarter formats, not more choreography.

🗓️ Friday 13th February 5 - 8pm AEDT
🎥 Can’t attend live? The workshop is recorded and yours to revisit anytime.
💰 $95 includes access to live + replay, and 4 AusActive CECs / 2 REPs NZ CPDs

👉Join Aqua Little Combos