Pike Reach Jump
Jump up, lift straight legs and reach the hands towards the toes in a pike, then straighten fully before a feet-first entry.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 9, Diving – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Jump Entry, Body Control
- Equipment
- Poolside Mat
- 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
- Feet-first only into water deep enough for jumping; clear area; one at a time.
What it develops
- Pike and turning jumps with control
- Jumps with clear shapes and turns
How to run it
- Practise the pike shape on poolside first: sitting, legs straight, reaching to the toes.
- Jump up and out; lift the straight legs forward and reach towards them.
- Open quickly to a straight pencil before entry.
- Surface and swim away.
Teaching cues
- Legs straight, toes pointed.
- Reach to your shins or toes.
- Open early, enter straight.
Make it easier
- Half pike – legs lift a little and hands touch the thighs.
Make it harder
- Clearer pike with hands touching toes, then a fully straight entry.
Common faults
- Knees bend in the pike.
- Entering in a sitting position.
Corrections
- 'Lock your knees.'
- 'Open like a penknife closing back up – straight.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Lead the poolside pike practice on the mat while the teacher watches the in-water group.