Roll and Stretch
Link a forward or backward roll in the water straight into a long, streamlined stretch – rotation that finishes in a tight, straight shape, as a dive should.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Streamlining, Body Control, Diving Rotation
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep enough water and space; no breath-holding challenges; watch every swimmer surface.
What it develops
- Rotation progressions in the water
How to run it
- Perform a forward roll in the water.
- As you come round, stretch immediately into a streamline with hands locked and push away (from the floor or the wall if close).
- Hold the streamline for a count of two.
- Repeat with a backward roll finishing in a back streamline.
Teaching cues
- Tight ball, then long line.
- Stretch as soon as you come round.
- Hands locked in the stretch.
Make it easier
- Pause between the roll and the stretch.
Make it harder
- Two rolls, then the stretch.
Common faults
- Slow, floppy opening.
- Arms not locked in the stretch.
Corrections
- 'Snap open like a spring.'
- 'Lid on your hands.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Watch your side of the group surface and signal the teacher if anyone appears disorientated.