Three-and-Three Backstroke
Three strokes with the right arm, three with the left, then full stroke – breaks backstroke into pieces while keeping the rotation going.
- Stages
- Swimming – Stage 8
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Rotation, Coordination, Backstroke Arms
- Equipment
- None, Float
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Swimmers must use flags or a stroke count before the wall.
What it develops
- Backstroke: steady head, continuous kick and in-line entry
How to run it
- Push off on the back with arms by the sides.
- Take three strokes with the right arm only, rotating the shoulder up as it recovers; the left arm rests by the side.
- Take three strokes with the left arm, then six strokes of full backstroke.
- Repeat the pattern across the width or length.
Teaching cues
- Shoulder lifts as the arm leaves.
- Head stays still like a cup is on it.
- Kick never stops.
Make it easier
- Use the resting arm on a float held on the tummy.
Make it harder
- Rest the non-working arm above the head (in line) instead of by the side.
- Two-and-two, then one-and-one patterns.
Common faults
- Head rocks with each arm.
- Body stays flat so the arm swings wide.
- Hips sink during the single-arm phase.
Corrections
- 'Chin still, eyes on the ceiling.'
- 'Roll your shoulder to your chin.'
- 'Push your tummy up.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside on poolside and quietly count '1, 2, 3, swap' for any swimmer the teacher picks out who is losing the pattern.