Elbow, Elbow, Knee, Knee
A step-by-step routine for getting out over the pool edge safely.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Safe Exit, Water Safety
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 4–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Check the pool edge is suitable (height, grip) for this exit.
- Walk, don't run, once out.
What it develops
- Understand basic pool safety
- Exit the water safely
How to run it
- Swimmers face the wall with both hands on the edge.
- Push up and place one elbow, then the other on the side.
- Bring one knee up onto the side, then the other.
- Stand up carefully and step away from the edge.
Teaching cues
- Say it as you do it: elbow, elbow, knee, knee.
- Kick the legs to help lift.
- Stand up only when both knees are out.
Make it easier
- Use the steps with the same 'face the rail' method.
- Assistant gives a lift under the feet.
Make it harder
- Get out in deeper water without touching the floor.
- Exit and walk to a set place on poolside.
Common faults
- Trying to climb out with a leg first.
- Standing up too quickly and slipping.
Corrections
- Demonstrate on poolside, then in the water.
- 'Knees first, then stand slowly.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Support the swimmer's feet from the water to give a gentle boost for the first attempts.