Noodle Pillow Back Float
A noodle under the shoulders gives nervous swimmers a supported back float.
- Stages
- Stage 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Back Float
- Equipment
- Noodle
- Age
- 4–7 years
- Group size
- 4–8 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1
- Shared by
- Rachel H.
- Rating
- 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings
Safety notes
- Shallow water where swimmers can stand.
- Practise standing up from a back float first.
How to run it
- Swimmers stand in shallow water holding a noodle behind them.
- Lie back so the noodle rests under the shoulder blades like a pillow, ears in the water.
- Push the tummy up and let the legs float up behind; hold for a count of five.
- Stand up safely: chin to chest, knees in, feet down.
Teaching cues
- Ears in the water
- Tummy up to the sky
- Relax and breathe normally
Make it easier
- Teacher or assistant supports under the head as well.
Make it harder
- Slide the noodle down to the hips, then float without it.
Community feedback
Worked well with a nervous group. I kept a hand near the back of their heads for the first go and they relaxed much faster than with a float.