Start Into Stroke
Links a taught start to the swim: entry, streamline, kick, breakout and the first strokes all in one smooth sequence.
- Stages
- Swimming – Stage 9, Swimming – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Streamlining, Starts
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 7 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Head-first entries only from the poolside into water deep enough under your pool's diving policy and risk assessment – never into shallow water.
- One swimmer at a time; the next waits until the water is clear.
What it develops
- Streamlined starts linked into swimming
- Starts, turns and finishes as part of a swim
How to run it
- Use the start each swimmer has already learned safely (sitting, kneeling, crouch or standing) – only where depth and pool rules allow head-first entries; otherwise push off from the wall.
- After entry, hold the streamline and kick to the surface.
- Take the first stroke as the head breaks the surface, without breathing on the first stroke for front crawl.
- Partners watch: no pause between entry, glide and first stroke.
Teaching cues
- Hands enter first, through one hole.
- Hold the streamline.
- Swim as you surface, not after.
Make it easier
- Start in the water with a push-off and practise the breakout only.
Make it harder
- Add five strong strokes and a finish touch.
- Backstroke start into the first strokes.
Common faults
- Lifting the head on entry.
- Gliding to a stop before swimming.
- Breathing on the first stroke.
Corrections
- 'Look at the water, not the far wall.'
- 'Kick before you slow down.'
- 'First stroke, then breathe.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand by the start area and confirm the water in front is clear before giving each swimmer the go signal set by the teacher.