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Tight Streamline Test

Pairs check each other's streamline – locked hands, squeezed ears, pointed toes – then test it on front, side and back push-offs.

Stages
Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
Difficulty
Developing
Skills
Streamlining, Push and Glide
Equipment
None, Floating Toys
Age
6–99 years
Group size
2–16 swimmers
Time
About 4 minutes
In a lesson
Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

  • Stagger push-offs so swimmers don't glide into each other.

What it develops

  • Push and glide in a tight streamline
  • Streamlined underwater push-off with kick
  • Turns with streamlined push-offs and underwater phase
  • Controlled underwater skills

How to run it

  1. Standing, partners check: top hand grips bottom thumb, arms squeeze ears, chin tucked slightly.
  2. Push off on the front and glide without kicking; mark where you stop.
  3. Repeat on the side, then the back.
  4. Partner gives one improvement each time.

Teaching cues

  • Lock your hands.
  • Squeeze your ears.
  • Point your toes.
  • Push the wall away.

Make it easier

  • Streamline standing and on a push from the floor.
  • Hold a float in the streamline.

Make it harder

  • Streamline from under the water with a few kicks.
  • Compare glide distances front, side and back.

Common faults

  • Hands side by side instead of stacked.
  • Head lifted in front of the arms.
  • Feet apart after the push.

Corrections

  • 'Top hand holds the bottom thumb.'
  • 'Hide your head between your arms.'
  • 'Glue your ankles together.'

Assistant / L1 role

  • Stand at the glide finish and mark each swimmer's distance with a floating toy.

Helps with