Single-Arm Backstroke
One arm works while the other rests by the side – isolates a straight recovery and an entry in line with the shoulder.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Rotation, Backstroke Arms
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 6–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
What it develops
- Swim backstroke with a recognisable arm action
- Backstroke with shoulder rotation and a steady rhythm
How to run it
- Kick on the back, one arm resting by the thigh.
- The other arm lifts straight out, thumb first, passes the ear and enters little finger first.
- Push the water down to the thigh and repeat.
- Swap arms each width.
Teaching cues
- Thumb out.
- Brush your ear.
- Little finger in.
- Keep kicking.
Make it easier
- Hold a float on the tummy with the resting hand.
- Shorter distance.
Make it harder
- Resting arm above the head instead of by the side.
- Three left, three right, three full stroke.
Common faults
- Arm bending on the recovery.
- Hand entering wide or behind the head.
- Body snaking.
Corrections
- 'Straight arm like a windmill.'
- 'Enter at eleven or one o'clock.'
- Slow the arm down.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand at the end the swimmers head towards and tell each one whether the recovery arm stayed straight.