Symmetry Check
Kicking breaststroke on the back so swimmers can see both feet do exactly the same thing – the fix for a scissor kick.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Breaststroke Kick
- Equipment
- Float
- 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
- Show an effective breaststroke leg action
- Breaststroke with effective kick, glide and timing
How to run it
- Lie on the back holding a float over the tummy.
- Kick slowly; watch both feet turn out and circle together.
- Partner walks alongside and says 'same' or 'different'.
- Turn onto the front and try to keep it the same.
Teaching cues
- Both feet the same.
- Toes out together.
- Squeeze together.
Make it easier
- Sit on the edge and kick in the water.
- Assistant holds both heels and guides them.
Make it harder
- Kick on the front with no float.
- Vertical breaststroke kick checking symmetry.
Common faults
- One leg sweeping sideways while the other kicks back.
- One foot pointed, one flexed.
Corrections
- 'Both feet are twins – they copy each other.'
- Slow the kick right down.
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside one swimmer and say 'same' or 'different' each kick.