Streamline Glide After Entry
After a head-first entry from a low position, swimmers hold the streamline, then steer up by lifting the hands and head – a smooth, safe finish to every dive.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 8, Diving – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Streamlining, Starts, Diving Entry
- 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
- Head-first entries only into water deep enough under your pool's diving policy, never into shallow water; one at a time with the area checked clear.
- Hands always locked and leading to protect the head.
What it develops
- Early head-first entries where depth allows
- Surface, turn and return safely
- Streamlined entry with hands locked
How to run it
- Use the head-first progression the swimmer is ready for (sitting, kneeling or crouching) where depth and pool rules allow.
- After entry, hold the streamline with hands locked for a count of two.
- Steer up by tilting the hands and lifting the head gently.
- Surface, turn and swim away.
Teaching cues
- Hold the streamline.
- Hands steer you up.
- Calm, gentle breathing out.
Make it easier
- Practise the steer-up from a push and glide at the wall.
Make it harder
- Add three kicks in streamline before steering up.
Common faults
- Going too deep after entry.
- Opening the arms immediately.
Corrections
- 'Hands up, head up – you'll rise.'
- 'Keep the lid on your hands.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand by the entry point and confirm the area is clear; watch each swimmer surface and signal the teacher straight away if anyone is slow to come up.