Soldier Kicks
Kicking on the back without equipment, arms by the sides like a soldier – a steady, flat backstroke kick.
- Stages
- Stage 3, Stage 4
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Backward Travel, Back Kick, Backstroke, Body Position
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 5–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Clear path; swimmers are travelling head-first.
What it develops
- Swim about 10 metres on the back
- Kick on the front, back and side
- Keep a flat, horizontal body position
- Swim backstroke with a recognisable arm action
How to run it
- Swimmers lie on the back, arms by the sides, ears in.
- Kick with long legs, toes just breaking the surface.
- Travel across the width without equipment.
- Progress to one arm stretched overhead, then both.
Teaching cues
- Ears in.
- Tummy up.
- Toes just splash.
Make it easier
- Float hugged on the chest.
- Noodle under the arms.
Make it harder
- Both arms streamlined overhead.
- Longer distance with a steady rhythm.
Common faults
- Knees break the surface (cycling).
- Head lifts and hips drop.
Corrections
- 'Kick from your hips with floppy ankles.'
- 'Look at the ceiling, not your toes.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside and give one simple cue per width: 'tummy up' or 'long legs'.