Backstroke Start
An in-water backstroke start: hold the wall, feet on the wall, then push back over the water into a streamlined glide.
- Stages
- Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Streamlining, Backstroke, Starts
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Clear space behind; one swimmer per lane.
- Feet must stay on the wall (not the gutter) to avoid slipping.
What it develops
- Efficient backstroke with rotation and catch
- Streamlined starts from the side
- Efficient backstroke over distance
- Starts suited to each stroke
How to run it
- Face the wall holding the edge; feet on the wall, knees bent.
- Pull yourself up slightly, then push back with the legs.
- Throw the arms back over the head into a streamline.
- Glide on the back and begin kicking.
Teaching cues
- Hold, crouch.
- Push back.
- Arms over into a streamline.
Make it easier
- Push and glide on the back from the wall.
- Assistant supports under the head on the first tries.
Make it harder
- Add a few dolphin kicks on the back before surfacing.
- Arch slightly over the water.
Common faults
- Sitting into the water instead of pushing back.
- Arms slow to reach the streamline.
Corrections
- 'Push the wall away with your feet.'
- Practise arm throw standing.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand behind the landing area and give one comment on the streamline.