Streamlining – swimming activities

Making a long, narrow body shape to reduce drag.

Activities

  • Back Rocket – A streamlined push and glide on the back with arms stretched above the head – the starting position for backstroke.
  • Backstroke Start – An in-water backstroke start: hold the wall, feet on the wall, then push back over the water into a streamlined glide.
  • Breakout Timing – Swimmers practise the moment to take the first stroke after a push-off, so speed carries straight into swimming.
  • Breaststroke Pull-Out – After the push-off: one long arm pull to the thighs, one kick, then surface into the stroke – a short, streamlined underwater phase.
  • Corkscrew Glide – Swimmers roll a full turn during a streamlined glide – rotating while staying long and travelling straight.
  • Crouch Dive to Streamline – From a crouch with toes over the edge, swimmers push out into a streamlined entry and glide before swimming.
  • Cup on Forehead – A small floating toy balanced on the forehead while kicking on the back – it only stays put if the head stays still.
  • Glide Target – Swimmers push and glide to reach a floating hoop target, moving it further away as their glide improves.
  • Glide, then Engine On – Swimmers glide first, then 'switch on the engine' with a kick when the glide slows – linking glide and kick without losing shape.
  • Hum and Glide – Swimmers hum steadily through a front push and glide so breathing out becomes part of every glide.
  • Kick and Hold – A breaststroke kick followed by a held streamline glide – teaches swimmers that the glide is part of the stroke.
  • Kneeling Dive – One knee down, arms streamlined – swimmers overbalance forward into a shallow dive, the step between sitting and crouching.
  • Over the Noodle Dive – A noodle floats a short distance out; swimmers dive over it – encourages pushing out to a shallow, safe entry angle.
  • Pencil Glide on the Back – Back push and glide in a long pencil shape, starting from the wall.
  • Push the Wall Away – Technique practice for a strong, clean wall push-off on the front and back – the foundation of every glide.
  • Push, Glide, Kick, Break Out – A short, controlled underwater push-off: streamline, a few kicks, then rise gently into the first stroke.
  • Rocket Launch – Countdown, blast-off, glide! Swimmers push from the wall in a rocket shape and the teacher watches for a long, thin, still body.
  • Rocket Push – Swimmers push off the wall like a rocket into a streamlined front glide.
  • Sausage Roll – Swimmers roll along the long axis of the body, front to back to front, staying long like a sausage.
  • Shapes – Swimmers make body shapes in the water – star, pencil, ball – to explore buoyancy and body position.
  • Side Push-Off – Push off on the side and rotate to the front during the glide – the push-off used after open and tumble turns.
  • Sitting Dive – The first head-first entry: from sitting on the edge, arms over the head, swimmers overbalance forward into a shallow glide.
  • Standing Dive – A streamlined standing dive from the side: bend, swing or reach, push out and enter through one hole.
  • Star to Rocket – Swimmers float as a star, then squeeze into a rocket shape and push off the floor into a glide – linking floating and gliding.
  • Streamline Dolphin with Forward Breath – Streamlined dolphin kick on the front, breathing with a low forward lift – rhythm and breathing without the arms.
  • Streamline Statues – Swimmers move around, then freeze in a perfect streamline when the teacher calls – learning what a streamlined shape feels like.
  • Streamlined Back Kick – Back kick with arms locked in a streamline above the head – a long, high body position and a steady kick from the hip.
  • Streamlined Front Kick – Front crawl kick with arms locked in a streamline – builds a long, flat body and a kick that starts at the hip.
  • Superman – A supported front float and glide in a long, flying Superman shape.
  • Tight Streamline Test – Pairs check each other's streamline – locked hands, squeezed ears, pointed toes – then test it on front, side and back push-offs.
  • Torpedo Scull – On the back with arms stretched above the head, swimmers scull to travel feet-first – a demanding, precise scull.
  • Torpedo Through the Hoop – Swimmers glide through a hoop held at the surface – a target that encourages a long, flat body.
  • Touch and Turn – An open turn for front crawl: touch, tuck, turn, push off on the side – quick, controlled and safe for learners.
  • Tumble Turn at the Wall – From the forward roll to a front crawl tumble turn: roll, feet to the wall, push on the back, rotate to the front.
  • Tummy Treasure – A small floating toy rests on the tummy during a back glide – it only stays on if the body stays flat.
  • Tunnel Glide – Swimmers push off under the water and glide through a tunnel of hoops or a partner's legs.
  • Turn Challenge – Swimmers turn and push off to reach a floating target – points for a clean turn and a held streamline, not raw speed.
  • Two Kicks, One Pull – An extra kick between arm strokes – forces swimmers to separate kick and pull and to glide in a streamline.