Backwards Noodle Ride
Swimmers lie back with a noodle under their arms and kick backwards – early back kick and back position.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Backward Travel, Buoyancy, Back Float, Back Kick
- Equipment
- Noodle
- Age
- 4–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Swimmers must know how to recover to standing before travelling on the back.
What it develops
- Move backwards about 5 metres
- Float on the back with support
How to run it
- Place a noodle behind the swimmer's back, under both armpits, ends held in front.
- Swimmer leans back until ears are near the water and lifts the feet.
- Kick gently to travel backwards to the wall.
- Recover by bringing knees forward and putting feet down.
Teaching cues
- Ears in the water, eyes to the ceiling.
- Tummy up to the surface.
- Small kicks, toes just breaking the surface.
Make it easier
- Assistant supports under the head as well.
- Walk backwards with the noodle before lifting the feet.
Make it harder
- One hand lets go of the noodle.
- Kick with a float hugged on the chest instead of a noodle.
Common faults
- Sitting in the water, hips low.
- Head lifting to look at the feet.
Corrections
- 'Push your tummy up to the sky.'
- Place a toy on the ceiling-view spot for them to look at.
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside with a hand under the swimmer's head or shoulders, then just a fingertip, then none.