Eggbeater Introduction
From wall to open water: swimmers use the eggbeater kick to stay upright, first with sculling hands, then with hands resting on the surface.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 8, Water Polo – Stage 9, Artistic Swimming – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Body Position, Treading Water, Eggbeater
- Equipment
- None, Noodle
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep water only for swimmers who can tread and return to the side independently; rescue aid on poolside.
- Short sets with rests – it is tiring.
What it develops
- Tread water and start an eggbeater-style kick
- Eggbeater to stay high and stable
- Sculling in a variety of positions
How to run it
- Recap the eggbeater on the wall (alternate leg circles, knees wide).
- Move a metre from the wall and eggbeater with hands sculling at chest level for 15 seconds.
- Rest, then try with hands resting flat on the surface.
- Finish with a 'rise' – kick harder to lift the shoulders for three seconds.
Teaching cues
- Alternate your legs.
- Upright body, shoulders level.
- Relaxed, steady rhythm.
Make it easier
- Stay within arm's reach of the wall.
- Use a noodle under the arms.
Make it harder
- Hands out of the water for five seconds.
- Hold a ball above the head with one hand.
Common faults
- Reverting to a breaststroke kick.
- Leaning backwards.
- Holding the breath.
Corrections
- 'Left, right, left, right.'
- 'Lean slightly forward, chest up.'
- 'Breathe and chat.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Keep a float ready on poolside next to the group and pass it immediately to any swimmer the teacher points to.