Home › Artistic Swimming – Stage 9
Side Layout Hold
Float on the side in a straight line with the top arm along the body and the bottom arm sculling – builds balance in a new position.
- Stages
- Artistic Swimming – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Sculling, Body Control, Body Positions
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Swimmers should be confident breathing when lying on the side; standing depth to start.
What it develops
- Sculling in a variety of positions
- Body positions with full extension
How to run it
- From a back layout, roll a quarter turn onto the side.
- Bottom arm extends above the head and sculls lightly; top arm rests along the side.
- Hold for a count of eight with the ear in the water and the body straight.
- Roll back to the back layout, then try the other side.
Teaching cues
- Straight line, head to toes.
- Top hip stays on top.
- Gentle sculling hand.
Make it easier
- Add a light flutter kick.
Make it harder
- Lift the top arm to point at the ceiling for four counts.
Common faults
- Rolling back onto the front or back.
- Body bends at the waist.
Corrections
- 'Stack your hips and shoulders.'
- 'Long from your fingers to your toes.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Count eight beats aloud and demonstrate the arm position from poolside for swimmers to copy.