Body Position – swimming activities

Keeping the body long, flat and balanced in the water.

Activities

• Artistic Swimming Taster – Sculling, a ballet leg and a short group pattern to music – a taster of artistic swimming built on core skills.
• Canoe Scull – Sculling on the front with hands under the hips – supports a flat front position and builds feel for the water.
• 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.
• Eyes on the Line – Swimmers keep their eyes on the line on the pool floor – a steady, low head gives a flat body and higher legs.
• Focus Point Swim – Each length has one focus – head, kick, reach, breathing – so swimmers practise thinking about their own technique.
• Nod and Glide – A small nod to breathe, then the eyes return down for the glide – keeps breaststroke flat and streamlined.
• Press the T – Swimmers gently press their chest (the 'T' across the shoulders and down the breastbone) into the water to bring the hips up.
• Shoulder Peek – Kick on the back and roll so one shoulder then the other peeks out of the water – the rotation that powers backstroke.
• Show Your Shoulder – Front crawl where swimmers roll enough for one shoulder to break the surface each stroke – easier breathing and a longer reach.
• Side Kick Surfing – Swimmers kick lying on their side with the lower arm stretched out – body balance and a kick that works in any position.
• Soldier Kicks – Kicking on the back without equipment, arms by the sides like a soldier – a steady, flat backstroke kick.
• 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.
• Train Tracks – Hands enter the water on two imaginary train tracks in line with the shoulders – stops crossing over and keeps swimming straight.