Eleven and One
Imagine a clock above the head: the left hand enters at eleven and the right at one – fixes entries too wide or too narrow.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Backstroke Arms
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 6–99 years
- Group size
- 2–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 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
- Efficient backstroke with rotation and catch
How to run it
- Show the clock face on poolside: 12 is straight above the head.
- Swim backstroke; left hand enters at 11, right hand at 1.
- Partner watches from the end and calls the times they see.
- Swap roles.
Teaching cues
- Left at eleven.
- Right at one.
- Little finger first.
Make it easier
- Single-arm backstroke calling the time.
- Double-arm backstroke for symmetry.
Make it harder
- Full stroke with rotation, keeping 11 and 1.
- Increase tempo slightly without losing the entry.
Common faults
- Hands entering at 10 and 2 (too wide).
- Hands entering at 12 (crossing the centre line).
Corrections
- 'Hand brushes your ear on the way past.'
- 'Enter just outside your shoulder.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand at the far wall and call the 'time' of each hand entry for one swimmer.