Backstroke Six-Kick Switch
Kick on the side with one arm up, then pull through to switch sides – links rotation, kick and arm action.
- Stages
- Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Rotation, Back Kick, Coordination
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
What it develops
- Backstroke with shoulder rotation and a steady rhythm
- Efficient backstroke with rotation and catch
- Efficient backstroke over distance
How to run it
- Kick on the side, top arm by the thigh, lower arm extended above the head.
- After six kicks, pull the extended arm through as the other arm recovers over – roll to the other side.
- Keep the face up and the kick going.
- Repeat across the width.
Teaching cues
- Six kicks, switch.
- Roll with the pull.
- Face stays up.
- Kick, kick, kick.
Make it easier
- Switch every eight kicks.
- Hold a float in the leading hand.
Make it harder
- Three-kick switch.
- Full backstroke keeping the same rotation.
Common faults
- Stopping the kick on the switch.
- Staying flat on the back.
- Leading arm crossing behind the head.
Corrections
- Count kicks aloud.
- 'Show a shoulder to the ceiling.'
- Leading arm in line with the shoulder.
Assistant / L1 role
- Count kicks for a swimmer and say 'switch' until they own the rhythm.