Stride Entry
A feet-first stride entry – one leg forward, one back, arms out – that keeps the head above water, useful for watching the area and for safe entry into deep water.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 8, Diving – Stage 9
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Safe Entry, Water Safety, Diving Entry
- Equipment
- Float
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Feet-first only, into water deep enough under your pool's rules; area clear; one at a time.
What it develops
- Controlled feet-first jumps into deep water
- Confident, controlled entries and exits
How to run it
- Stand at the edge of deep water with arms out to the sides and slightly forward.
- Step out with one leg forward and one leg back, leaning slightly forward.
- As the body enters, bring the legs together quickly and press the arms down to keep the head up.
- Tread water facing the teacher, then swim away to the side.
Teaching cues
- Big step out.
- Legs scissor together.
- Arms press down to keep your head up.
Make it easier
- Step in from sitting with a gentle slide.
Make it harder
- Keep eyes on a target the whole time during the entry.
Common faults
- Stepping down too close to the wall.
- Head goes under.
Corrections
- 'Step to the cone.'
- 'Snap your legs together as you land.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Hold a target float for swimmers to keep their eyes on during the entry and confirm the area is clear.