What is the purpose of swim drills in instruction?

The purpose of swim drills in instruction is fundamentally to practice specific skills repetitively. This method allows students to focus on mastering particular techniques, such as strokes, breathing patterns, or turns, through continuous repetition. By isolating these skills, instructors help swimmers improve their muscle memory and overall performance, which contributes to their confidence and competence in the water.

While evaluating student progress is certainly an important aspect of instruction, it does not encapsulate the primary goal of swim drills. Similarly, encouraging competition can foster a positive and motivating environment among swimmers but is not the main intent of performing drills. Changing the instructor's teaching style is irrelevant to the specific action of conducting drills, as the drills themselves aim to reinforce and enhance the students' swimming capabilities rather than alter the instructor's methodology.