Push, Glide, Kick, Break Out
A short, controlled underwater push-off: streamline, a few kicks, then rise gently into the first stroke.
- Stages
- Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Streamlining, Push and Glide, Dolphin Kick
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 7–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep underwater phases short; breathe out steadily and surface whenever needed. No breath-holding challenges.
What it develops
- Basic turns with a streamlined push-off
- Streamlined underwater push-off with kick
- Turns with streamlined push-offs and underwater phase
- Turns suited to each stroke
- Controlled underwater skills
How to run it
- Push off just under the surface in a streamline.
- Glide briefly, then add three to four flutter or dolphin kicks.
- Angle gently upwards and start the first stroke as the head reaches the surface.
- Swim a few strokes and stop.
Teaching cues
- Push, glide, kick.
- Rise gently.
- First stroke as you surface.
Make it easier
- Push and glide at the surface, then kick.
- Two kicks only.
Make it harder
- Dolphin kick push-off on the front and back.
- Link to a turn.
Common faults
- Going deep and staying down too long.
- Popping up vertically and losing speed.
Corrections
- 'Stay shallow, like a submarine at periscope depth.'
- Start the stroke before the head is fully out.
Assistant / L1 role
- Watch from above at the push-off wall and confirm each swimmer surfaced within the agreed distance.