Superman
A supported front float and glide in a long, flying Superman shape.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Buoyancy, Front Float, Streamlining, Push and Glide
- Equipment
- Float
- Age
- 4–99 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
- Practise recovery to standing before letting swimmers try without support.
What it develops
- Float on the front with support
- Return to standing from a float
- Push and glide on the front and back
How to run it
- Swimmers hold a float out in front with arms straight.
- Take a breath, put the face in and lift the feet behind so the body lies flat – 'flying'.
- Hold for 3–5 seconds while blowing bubbles.
- Recover by pulling the float down, lifting the head and putting the feet down.
Teaching cues
- Arms long, ears between the arms.
- Face in, eyes looking at the floor.
- Legs long and together, like a superhero.
Make it easier
- Assistant supports under the tummy.
- Face stays out, chin on the water.
Make it harder
- Push off the floor into the float and glide.
- Let go of the float and fly unaided.
Common faults
- Head up, looking forwards so legs sink.
- Knees bent and feet trailing on the floor.
Corrections
- 'Look for a sinker on the floor.'
- 'Show me your toes at the surface.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Support under the tummy or hips, lowering your hands as the swimmer relaxes into the float.