Vertical Breaststroke Kick
Breaststroke kick while upright in deep water – builds a powerful kick and doubles as a treading-water skill.
- Stages
- Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Breaststroke Kick, Treading Water
- Equipment
- Float, Noodle
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep water: swimmers must be able to reach the wall; close supervision.
What it develops
- Breaststroke with effective kick, glide and timing
- Tread water efficiently
- Breaststroke with strong propulsion and controlled glide
- Scull and tread water with control
- Efficient breaststroke over distance
- Tread water and scull efficiently for longer
How to run it
- In water deeper than standing depth (holding the wall or a noodle at first).
- Kick breaststroke vertically, feet turning out and sweeping round.
- Try to lift the shoulders a little higher with each kick.
- Progress: hands on the chest, then hands out of the water briefly.
Teaching cues
- Heels up, feet out.
- Kick down and round.
- Head up, relaxed.
Make it easier
- Hold the wall or a noodle.
- Use a float under the arms.
Make it harder
- Hands on head for 10 seconds.
- Alternate breaststroke kick and egg-beater.
Common faults
- Pointed toes giving no lift.
- Scissor kick.
Corrections
- 'Stand on the water with the soles of your feet.'
- Check symmetry with Symmetry Check.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand on poolside above the deep-water swimmers and give a count while they kick; be ready to offer a noodle.