Home › Artistic Swimming – Stage 9
Back Tuck Somersault
From a tuck on the back, roll backwards in a tight ball using the hands, surfacing in a back layout – a controlled, introductory rotation.
- Stages
- Artistic Swimming – Stage 9, Artistic Swimming – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Submersion, Rotation, Body Control
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Water deep enough that the swimmer won't touch the floor (at least chest depth for small children; deeper for adults), with space around.
- Short, calm rotation – no breath-holding contests. Swimmers can wear a nose clip if they prefer.
What it develops
- Smooth transitions between positions
- Controlled submersion and surfacing
How to run it
- Practise breathing out gently through the nose while tucked.
- From a back layout, tuck tightly with the chin to the chest.
- Push the hands towards the head (palms pressing up and over) to roll backwards in a full circle.
- Finish by extending into a back layout and breathing.
Teaching cues
- Tight ball.
- Breathe out through your nose.
- Hands help you roll.
Make it easier
- Half roll with a partner beside for confidence.
Make it harder
- Two somersaults in a row, or finish in a front layout.
Common faults
- Opening out during the roll.
- Water up the nose.
Corrections
- 'Hug your knees.'
- 'Hum out gently.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand near a less confident swimmer named by the teacher and be ready to help them find their feet afterwards.