Skills

Artistic Swimming Skills/Grades are designed to help swimmers have their skills tested before entering competitions.
7

An Introduction

Since January 2017, Swim England have run a three-strand award system for athletes; Figure Grades, Routine Grades and Land Grades.

As you progress as an Artistic Swimmer you will need to have your grades tested before you can enter certain competitions.

Figure Grades

There are six figures grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their age group figures.

These grades support swimmers long term athlete development (LTAD) and ensure each athlete performs to their very best standard before moving to their next grade.

Each grade has three levels (gold, silver and bronze) so all athletes have the ability to perfect their figures before moving to the next grade.

Select one of the grades below to read more about it and watch videos of each element.

Grade 1

The Swim England Synchro Figure Grade 1 focuses on positions and basic positions in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 1

  1. Stationary back layout held for five seconds (BP 1).
  2. Front layout (BP 2) followed by 1metre reverse scoop scull.
  3. Front pike position (BP 10).
  4. Hanging vertical (BP 6 ).
  5. Back layout to bent knee position returning to back layout (BP14b).
  6. Inverted split position.
  7. Back layout to back pike position (BP 11).
  8. Back tuck somersault (Fig 310 – DD 1.1).
  9. Fishtail position (BP 8).
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 1 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Figure Grade 1 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Figure Grade 1.

 

Mandatory Requirements

Swimmers should remember these four mandatory requirements in all elements.

  • Extension must be evident throughout.
  • Toes and feet must be pointed.
  • Effective and smooth sculling.
  • All figures should be stable and controlled.

Grade 2

The England Synchro Figure Grade 2 focuses on basic transitions and figures in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 2

  1. Back layout to inverted tuck position held for five seconds (BP 9).
  2. Ballet leg (Fig 101 DD 1.6).
  3. Somersault back pike (Fig 303 DD 1.5).
  4. Somersault front pike (Fig 320 DD 1.7).
  5. Blossom (Fig 302 DD 1.4).
  6. Neptunus (Fig 344 DD1.8).
  7. Walkout front (BM 6a).
  8. Back layout to bent knee surface arch position.
  9. Vertical with a vertical descent (BM 10).
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 2 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Figure Grade 2 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Figure Grade 2.

 

Mandatory Requirements

Swimmers should remember these four mandatory requirements in all elements.

  • Extension must be evident throughout.
  • Toes and feet must be pointed.
  • Effective and smooth sculling.
  • All figures should be stable and controlled.

Grade 3

The England Synchro Figure Grade 3 focuses on 12 and under age group figures in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 3

  1. Straight Ballet Leg (Fig 106 DD 1.6)
  2. Barracuda (Fig 301 DD 1.9)
  3. Walkover Back (Fig 420 DD 1.9)
  4. Ballerina (Fig 327 DD 1.9)
  5. Kip (Fig 311 DD 1.6)
  6. Swordfish (Fig 401 DD 2.0)
  7. Swan (Fig 226 DD 2.1)
  8. Water Drop (Fig 368 DD 1.5)
  9. Vertical spin 360 (BM 1)
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 3 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Figure Grade 3 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Figure Grade 3.

 

Mandatory Requirements

Swimmers should remember these four mandatory requirements in all elements.

  • Extension must be evident throughout.
  • Toes and feet must be pointed.
  • Effective and smooth sculling.
  • All figures should be stable and controlled.

Grade 4

The England Synchro Figure Grade 4 focuses on 13 – 15 years age group figures in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 4

  1. Ariana (Fig 423 DD 2.2)
  2. Rio (Fig 143 DD 3.1)
  3. Jupiter (Fig 351 DD 2.8)
  4. Oceanea (Fig 437 DD 2.1)
  5. Albatross Half twist (Fig 240ah DD 2.2)
  6. Sword Tail (Fig 403 DD 2.3)
  7. Porpoise continuous spin 720 (Fig 355f DD 2.1)
  8. Seagull (Fig 315 DD 2.1)
  9. Vertical Continuous Spin 720
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 4 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Figure Grade 4 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Figure Grade 4.

 

Mandatory Requirements

Swimmers should remember these four mandatory requirements in all elements.

  • Extension must be evident throughout.
  • Toes and feet must be pointed.
  • Effective and smooth sculling.
  • All figures should be stable and controlled.

Grade 5

The England Synchro Figure Grade 5 focuses on 15 – 18 years age group figures in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 5

  1. Junior Team element 1 (DD 2.3)
  2. Junior Team element 2 (DD 1.8)
  3. Junior Team element 4 (DD 3.1)
  4. Junior Team element 5 (DD 2.5)
  5. Junior Duet element 2 (DD 2.9)
  6. Junior Duet element 4 (DD 3.0)
  7. Junior Duet element 5 (DD 2.5)
  8. Junior Solo element 2 (DD 2.5)
  9. Junior Solo element 4 (DD 1.9)
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 5 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Figure Grade 5 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Figure Grade 5.

 

Grade 6

The England Synchro Figure Grade 6 focuses on technical solo and duet elements in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 11 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Figure Grade 6

  1. Senior Team Element 2
  2. Senior Duet Element 1
  3. Senior Duet Element 3
  4. Senior Duet Element 5
  5. Senior Solo Element 1
  6. Senior Solo Element 2
  7. Senior Solo Element 3
  8. Senior Solo Element 4
  9. Senior Solo Element 5
  10. Split position on land – right leg and left leg. Both legs must be attempted.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Figure Grade 6 where you can read more details about each element.

Routine Grades

There are five routine grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their routine skills.

These grades compliment the figure grades and ensure athletes are developing their transitions, speed of movement and hybrids ready for solos, duets and team routines as they develop.

Select one of the grades below to read more about it and watch videos of each element.

Grade 1

The England Synchro Routine Grade 1 focuses on basic entry, travel and hybrids in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

10 Elements to Synchro Routine Grade 1

  1. Walk on with good posture, step entry into water with two breaststroke to surface in eggbeater.
  2. Stationary eggbeater for 10 seconds
  3. Eggbeater travelling sideways for 2m into side flutter kick for 3m.
  4. Torpedo scull for 10m.
  5. Straight arm backstroke to a metronome at 160 bpm for 15m.
  6. Tub 360 degrees from back layout and returning to back layout.
  7. Travelling fast bent knee switches.
  8. Back layout followed by a rapid back tuck somersault, surfacing in eggbeater for five seconds.
  9. Eggbeater press/eggbeater ‘pop’.
  10. Table top position held for five seconds.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Routine Grade 1 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Routine Grade 1 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Routine Grade 1.

Grade 2

The England Synchro Routine Grade 2 focuses on basic entry, travel and hybrids in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Routine Grade 2

  1. Walk on with good posture, dive entry, two breaststrokes to the surface and surface in eggbeater.
  2. Single arm eggbeater for 10m; 5m with one side leading, turn and continue for 5m opposite side leading.
  3. Head first boost and descent (starting from underwater – arms to remain by side).
  4. Dolphin scull for 5m.
  5. Side flutter (5m), eggbeater (3m), side flutter (5m).
  6. Bucket/flick flack switches (four) completed to a metronome at 160 bpm within a count of eight.
  7. Pike to vertical with bucket/flick flack exit (rapid).
  8. Travelling single arm egg beater to a metronome at 160 bpm for three counts of eight. Arm action optional but rapid movements.
  9. Travelling back layout then assume a ballet leg and rapid back tuck somersault surfacing in eggbeater.
  10. Kick pull kick over to metronome at 160 bpm for 15m.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Routine Grade 2 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Routine Grade 2 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Routine Grade 2.

Grade 3

The England Synchro Routine Grade 3 focuses on deck work and entry, travel and hybrids in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Routine Grade 3

  1. Walk on with counts and good posture and assume a start pose. From pose, step to edge dive entry and head first boost.
  2. Double arm eggbeater for 6m; 3m with one side leading, turn and continue for 3m opposite side leading.
  3. Head first boost and ‘catch’ in eggbeater.
  4. Eggbeater travelling 8m; 2m in all four directions.
  5. Side flutter into front pike to front walkout and torpedo for 5m.
  6. Bucket to fishtail swaps for a count of eight (two counts for each swap) metronome at 160 bpm.
  7. Single leg swirls four times. All start and finish in pike position.
  8. Start from under the water, dynamic foot first bent knee thrust.
  9. Table top to bucket to vertical followed by a 180 degrees spin.
  10. Travelling head first, assume a ballet leg, return to back layout, assume the opposite ballet leg and return to back layout. Completed to metronome at 160 bpm, one count per movement.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Routine Grade 3 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Routine Grade 3 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Routine Grade 3.

Grade 4

The England Synchro Routine Grade 4 focuses on controlled entry, travel and hybrids in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Routine Grade 4

  1. Walk on to counts with presentation and assume a pose and short deck work, followed by a dive entry, followed by double arm head first boost.
  2. 5m of travelling eggbeater with a single arm twirl followed by 5m travelling opposite direction.
  3. Head first boost followed by 3m double arm egg beater travel.
  4. 5m torpedo scull, smooth transition coming out sideways into 3m double arm eggbeater with creative arms.
  5. Vertical position travelling, 1m sideways, 1m backwards.
  6. Foot first thrust with a spin of at least 360 degrees – leg position optional.
  7. Fishtail switches for a count of eight (two counts per switch) to metronome at 160 bpm.
  8. Double arm eggbeater for four counts of eight to metronome at 160 bpm.
  9. Technical team element three to metronome with eight counts per transition at 160 bpm.
  10. Cookie position to straddle to vertical followed by a continuous spin of at least 720 degrees.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Routine Grade 4 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Routine Grade 4 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Routine Grade 4.

Grade 5

The England Synchro Routine Grade 5 focuses on deck work, entries, travel and hybrids in synchronised swimming.

Swimmers will be required to perform 10 elements to judges.

 

10 Elements to Synchro Routine Grade 5

  1. Walk on with presentation, assume a start pose followed by solo deck work, dive entry followed immediately by a foot first boost.
  2. Double arm eggbeater 8m travelling in all directions. (2m in each direction).
  3. Two head first boosts both with double arms. One must contain a twirl.
  4. 5m torpedo scull. Sit up forwards into eggbeater, followed by 5m forward double arm eggbeater.
  5. Side flutter kick followed by a rapid transition into a front pike position followed immediately by a rapid double leg walk over into torpedo scull followed by a smooth transition into double arm eggbeater.
  6. Full vertical twist in off-angle position (position optional).
  7. Combined spin of 360 degrees down and 360 degrees up. Leg position optional.
  8. Fishtail into vertical, followed by pikeout and up to the surface, followed by two counts of eight of double arm eggbeater to metronome at 160 bpm.
  9. Table top to fishtail, to vertical. Vertical twirl to table top, return to vertical finished with a 360 degree spin (160 bpm). One count for each move except spin in four counts.
  10. Technical team element number two to metronome at 160 bpm; eight counts per transition.

Click here to download a judging guide for the England Synchro Routine Grade 5 where you can read more details about each element.

 

Synchro Routine Grade 5 Video Demonstrations

Watch the clips below for video demonstrations of each of the 10 elements for Routine Grade 5.

Land Grades

There are five land grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their land skills.

These grades compliment the figure and routine grades, and ensure athletes are developing core strength, flexibility and speed of movement on land which transfer to the pool through figures and routines

Grading Days

Swimmers can pass these grades at assessment days which take place throughout the year. You can view a list of upcoming testing days on the right (desktop) or bottom (mobile and tablet) of this page.

Alternatively, click here to head to the Swim England Calendar to search manually.

Application forms will typically be available around six weeks before the start of the assessment.