Everyone makes beginner mistakes. The difference is whether you learn them the easy way (by reading this list) or the hard way (by repeating them in the pool).
1) Over-breathing or rushing before a dive
- Taking frantic big breaths makes you feel worse, not better.
- Fix: slow, relaxed breathing. Smooth inhale, calm exhale.
2) Staying down too long
- Beginners often “push it” and surface stressed.
- Fix: surface early. Build repeatable short dives first.
3) Losing the puck and chasing it wildly
- Chasing creates collisions and wastes energy.
- Fix: keep your body controlled, approach at an angle, use your stick to slow/stop the puck.
4) Forgetting to look up
- New players stare at the puck and miss teammates, opponents, and walls.
- Fix: “touch and scan” — brief look at puck, then look up.
5) Poor mask/snorkel setup
- Leaks, fog, and snorkel discomfort ruin your session.
- Fix: take time to fit gear properly; use defog; adjust strap tension (snug, not painful).
6) Using hands on the puck
- It’s unsafe and usually against the rules.
- Fix: puck is played with the stick only. Reset if you lose control.
7) Big fin splashes, not enough control
- Big kicks wastes energy and doesnt result in faster swimming.
- Fix: controlled finning, less splashing will be more effecient.