Narrow Kick Through the Gate
Breaststroke kick between two noodles held as a 'gate' at hip width, so knees stay narrow and the feet do the work.
- Stages
- Swimming – Stage 8
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Breaststroke Kick
- Equipment
- Float, Noodle
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 3–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Gate holders stand to the side, not behind the kicker; agree a signal to stop.
What it develops
- Breaststroke: symmetrical kick with a controlled glide
How to run it
- Two helpers (or the swimmer's partners) hold noodles vertically in the water about hip width apart.
- The swimmer kicks breaststroke with a float, passing through the gate without the knees touching the noodles.
- Repeat a few times, then kick a width without the gate.
- Swap roles so everyone kicks and holds.
Teaching cues
- Knees about hip width.
- Feet wider than knees.
- Heels up, feet out, kick back.
Make it easier
- Stand at the wall and practise 'knees narrow, feet wide' slowly before swimming.
Make it harder
- Make the gate slightly narrower; swim full stroke through it.
Common faults
- Knees spread very wide (frog splay).
- Feet stay narrow and only the knees bend.
Corrections
- 'Squeeze your knees towards each other, push your feet out.'
- 'Your feet are the paddles, not your knees.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Hold one side of the gate yourself and keep the noodle still and at the agreed width so swimmers get consistent feedback.