Streamlined Back Kick
Back kick with arms locked in a streamline above the head – a long, high body position and a steady kick from the hip.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Streamlining, Back Kick, Body Position
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 6–99 years
- Group size
- 2–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Backstroke swimmers can't see the wall: use flags or count strokes, and stagger starts.
What it develops
- Swim backstroke with a recognisable arm action
- Push and glide in a tight streamline
- Backstroke with shoulder rotation and a steady rhythm
- Streamlined underwater push-off with kick
- Efficient backstroke with rotation and catch
- Turns with streamlined push-offs and underwater phase
- Efficient backstroke over distance
- Controlled underwater skills
How to run it
- Push off on the back into a streamline: arms squeezing the ears, hands stacked.
- Kick with long legs; toes just break the surface.
- Eyes up, head still, tummy near the surface.
- Swim a width; rest; repeat.
Teaching cues
- Ears in.
- Tummy up.
- Little fast kicks.
- Toes just splash.
Make it easier
- Arms by the sides (Soldier Kicks).
- Hug a float on the chest.
Make it harder
- Kick on the side with one arm up, switching every six kicks.
- Hold the streamline for a full length.
Common faults
- Knees breaking the surface.
- Bottom sinking – sitting in the water.
- Chin tucked to watch the feet.
Corrections
- 'Kick from your hips – knees stay hidden.'
- 'Push your tummy to the ceiling.'
- Pick a spot on the ceiling to look at.
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside and watch the knees only; say 'knees hidden' when they break the surface.