The core skills every player needs to play underwater hockey safely. Reach at least Bronze in every Foundation badge to earn the rank of Coral.
Clearing the snorkel while keeping a steady breathing rhythm and tracking play.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 25 m surface swim, relaxed breathing, without lifting head or removing snorkel |
| Silver | 3 clean snorkel clears and equalising during descent, without removing snorkel |
| Gold | Surface-to-bottom transition with equalising and stable breathing on recovery, no coach cue, comfortable in a game |
Good finning technique (flutter and dolphin) with little drag or splash.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 25 m surface swim using a hip-driven kick, no bicycle kick |
| Silver | 25 m swim keeping the body aligned, no knee-driven (bicycle) kick |
| Gold | Good kicking in a game |
Controlled descent and equalising to reach the bottom without losing orientation.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 5 head-first (duck) dives and 5 fins-first (kelp) dives |
| Silver | 5 controlled dives landing directly below the start point, stick arm in front |
| Gold | Controlled dives in a game |
Holding a flat cobra position on the bottom.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Hold cobra for 5 seconds |
| Silver | Hold cobra while receiving and passing the puck |
| Gold | Hold cobra while swimming with the puck and doing drills |
Carrying and shielding the puck along the bottom.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Move the puck 5 m with control |
| Silver | Keep control under light pressure |
| Gold | Keep control while actively challenged and scanning, in a game |
Push and flick passes along the bottom to teammates.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 5 flicks or flat passes to a teammate |
| Silver | 5 accurate passes while swimming |
| Gold | Successful passes to a teammate during a game |
Controlled 180° turns around the puck while shielding it.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 5 flat-body curls each direction, stationary puck, no defender |
| Silver | 5 curls each direction while moving with the puck |
| Gold | Curls in a game |
Knowing where to be between the puck and the goal.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Can attack with the puck and defend the puck |
| Silver | Keeps correct defensive-side position |
| Gold | Anticipates transitions and recovers shape in a game |
Being available as a passing option for teammates.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Can receive a pass from a teammate |
| Silver | Stays down and receives a pass from a teammate |
| Gold | After passing, stays down as a support option (second phase) in a game |
Understanding the roles of forwards, mids and backs.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Understands assigned role and area |
Keeping team shape (e.g. 3-3 or 2-3-1) in play and at restarts.
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Plays in the formation set by the coach |
| Silver | Keeps formation during transitions |
| Gold | Adjusts formation based on puck movement |