Vertical Dolphin Kick
Dolphin kick upright in deep water, holding a noodle, so swimmers feel the kick start from the chest and hips rather than the knees.
- Stages
- Swimming – Stage 8, Swimming – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Dolphin Kick, Body Wave
- Equipment
- Noodle
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep water: only swimmers who are confident and can tread water independently. Keep a rescue aid ready on poolside.
- Space swimmers so legs don't clash.
What it develops
- Butterfly: body wave and two-kick rhythm over short distances
- Butterfly: low forward breath and linked strokes
How to run it
- In deep water, swimmers hold a noodle under the arms or across the chest.
- Keeping legs together, make small dolphin kicks driven by the chest and hips, knees bending only slightly.
- Count ten kicks, rest, and repeat three times.
- Progress: hands on the noodle in front, then hands on the hips for short sets.
Teaching cues
- Kick starts at your chest.
- Knees soft, not bent like a frog.
- Feet together, toes pointed.
Make it easier
- Hold the pool wall in deep water and kick against it.
Make it harder
- Cross arms over the chest without the noodle for five kicks.
- Kick on the front, side and back after the vertical set.
Common faults
- Big knee bend with little body movement.
- Legs separate.
- Holding the breath.
Corrections
- 'Ripple through your tummy.'
- 'Pretend your ankles are tied.'
- 'Breathe normally – chat to your partner.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stay on poolside opposite the deep-water group with a reaching pole or float ready, watching for anyone losing their noodle while the teacher coaches.