Home › Stage 4

Tub Turn

Sitting in a 'tub' (knees tucked, shins on the surface), swimmers scull to spin round – great for control and confidence.

Stages
Stage 4, Stage 5
Difficulty
Developing
Skills
Rotation, Sculling
Equipment
None, Noodle
Age
6–99 years
Group size
1–12 swimmers
Time
About 3 minutes
In a lesson
Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

What it develops

  • Scull to support and to travel
  • Scull with control in different positions

How to run it

  1. Lie back and tuck the knees so the shins are on the surface, like sitting in a bath tub.
  2. Scull with both hands by the hips to stay balanced.
  3. Push more with one hand to turn in a circle.
  4. Complete a full turn each way.

Teaching cues

  • Shins on the surface.
  • Hands by your hips.
  • Small, steady sculls.

Make it easier

  • Noodle under the knees.
  • Turn a quarter circle only.

Make it harder

  • Two full turns without losing the tub shape.
  • Change direction halfway.

Common faults

  • Legs sinking out of the tub.
  • Big paddling arms.

Corrections

  • Lean back a little more.
  • 'Stir small circles.'

Assistant / L1 role

  • Stand nearby and give the swimmer a target to face on each turn.

Helps with