¶ Level 1 - Exit Standards
Exit standards define the minimum capability required for a player to progress from Level 1 to Level 2
within the Atlantis Coaching Programme.
These standards exist to protect the player, protect the coach, and protect the pathway.
Advancing players too early creates instability, increases safety risk, and slows long-term development.
A player should demonstrate most of the following behaviors repeatedly across sessions before moving to Level 2.
- No visible panic underwater or at the surface.
- Predictable, controlled movement.
- Ability to follow safety instructions immediately.
- Comfort participating in group activity.
Player demonstrates:
- Calm face-down breathing with a snorkel.
- Controlled short breath-holds.
- Comfort submerging repeatedly.
- Relaxed recovery breathing.
Not ready if:
- Removing snorkel to breathe.
- Player avoids submerging.
- Anxiety is visible.
¶ Diving and Surfacing
Player demonstrates:
- Comfortable dives.
- Early surfacing when needed.
- Awareness of others when ascending.
Not ready if:
- Player unable to reach the bottom.
- Surfacing appears frantic.
- Collisions occur during ascent.
Player demonstrates:
- Basic finning from the hips.
- Improving body position.
- Ability to reach the bottom with control.
- Intentional turns rather than uncontrolled spinning.
Not ready if:
- Movement is explosive and wasteful.
- Body position is hips high head low.
Player demonstrates:
- Proper mask use and clearing.
- Ability to clear snorkel independently.
- Comfort wearing fins.
- Legal stick grip when introduced.
Not ready if:
- Equipment issues cause repeated distress.
- Player cannot self-correct minor problems.
Player demonstrates:
- Controlled puck contact.
- One-handed stick play.
- Early awareness of teammates.
- Reduced puck chasing.
Not ready if:
- Wild stick movements persist.
- Player unable to reach the puck.
¶ Rule Awareness and Safety Behavior
Player demonstrates:
- Understands stick-only play.
- Avoids grabbing or pushing.
- Responds quickly to coach direction.
Not ready if:
- Unsafe behavior repeats after correction.
This is the most important and most overlooked exit category.
Player demonstrates:
- Willingness to dive again after mistakes.
- Emotional composure.
- Engagement with the group.
- Growing confidence.
Not ready if:
- Fear dictates participation.
- Player withdraws from drills.
Advance the player when:
- Calmness is consistent.
- Safety habits are automatic.
- Movement is becoming efficient.
Delay advancement when:
- Stress behaviors appear.
- Safety awareness is unreliable.
- Confidence fluctuates dramatically.
- Panic breathing
- Ignoring safety direction
- Repeated unsafe ascents
- Visible fear of submersion
Additional time in Level 1 is not failure, it is foundation building.
¶ Final Standard
A Level 1 graduate should enter Level 2 as a calm, safe, and coachable participant and
not a skilled player.