Cup on Forehead
A small floating toy balanced on the forehead while kicking on the back – it only stays put if the head stays still.
- Stages
- Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Streamlining, Back Kick, Backstroke, Body Position
- Equipment
- Noodle, Floating Toys
- Age
- 6–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Use soft, light floating objects only.
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
- Backstroke with shoulder rotation and a steady rhythm
How to run it
- Swimmer floats on the back; helper places a small, light floating toy or plastic cup on the forehead.
- Kick across the width with arms by the sides.
- Success: the toy is still on at the end.
- Add backstroke arms and try again.
Teaching cues
- Head still.
- Look straight up.
- Tummy up.
Make it easier
- Short distance.
- Noodle under the arms.
Make it harder
- Full backstroke with the cup.
- Whole width without the cup falling.
Common faults
- Head wobbling side to side with each kick.
- Chin tucking forward.
Corrections
- 'Your head is a still pond.'
- Fix the eyes on one spot on the ceiling.
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside to replace the toy each time it falls and count how far the swimmer got.