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Body Tension Check

Hold a rigid straight body on the back while a partner gently moves you by the feet – if you stay in one piece, your body tension is ready for positions, entries and rotations.

Stages
Diving – Stage 8, Artistic Swimming – Stage 8, Artistic Swimming – Stage 9
Difficulty
Beginner
Skills
Streamlining, Body Position, Body Control
Equipment
None
Age
8–99 years
Group size
2–20 swimmers
Time
About 4 minutes
In a lesson
Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

  • Standing depth; partners move slowly and stop on request. Physical guidance only with the swimmer's agreement.

What it develops

  • Basic body positions
  • Body positions with full extension
  • Hold a tight, streamlined body shape

How to run it

  1. Swimmer floats in a back layout or pencil float, squeezing tummy, bottom and legs.
  2. Partner stands at the feet and gently slides the swimmer forward, back and side to side.
  3. The swimmer tries to stay straight like a plank – no bending at the hips or knees.
  4. Swap roles; then try the same check in a front layout with a breath between goes.

Teaching cues

  • Tummy tight, bottom tight.
  • One straight line.
  • Breathe normally while tense.

Make it easier

  • Partner supports under the head and moves very slowly.

Make it harder

  • Arms extended above the head in streamline during the check.
  • Partner rotates the swimmer a quarter turn.

Common faults

  • Hips fold as soon as the partner moves.
  • Holding the breath.

Corrections

  • 'Be a surfboard.'
  • 'Squeeze and breathe.'

Assistant / L1 role

  • Partner any swimmer without a pair, moving them slowly and stopping immediately if they ask, as the teacher has demonstrated.

Helps with