Pillow Float
A float under the head acts as a pillow while swimmers relax into a back float.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Buoyancy, Back Float
- Equipment
- Float
- Age
- 4–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Check swimmers can recover from the back before they try alone.
What it develops
- Float on the back with support
How to run it
- Swimmer holds a float behind the head, hands on the sides, like a pillow.
- Lean back, rest the head on the pillow and lift the feet.
- Relax into a flat position with tummy up, legs long.
- Hold for 5 seconds then recover to standing.
Teaching cues
- Head rests back on the pillow.
- Hips high, tummy up.
- Legs together, toes near the surface.
Make it easier
- Assistant supports under the hips as well.
- Two floats: one under the head, one under the knees.
Make it harder
- Kick gently to travel backwards.
- Swap the float for a noodle, then no equipment.
Common faults
- Pulling the float forward onto the chest.
- Hips sinking.
Corrections
- 'Elbows out to the sides.'
- 'Push your hips up to meet my hand' – teacher's hand just above the hips.
Assistant / L1 role
- Hold the float steady from behind the swimmer's head and slowly let go.