Before developing backstroke, participants need to be confident regaining an upright position and be able to demonstrate a good, streamlined positions on their backs.

The following tables identify some progressive activities to develop the components of back crawl (legs, arms, breathing & timing).

BACK CRAWL LEG ACTION

ACTIVITIES
  • Kicking with a noodle (noodle is placed under the arms and like a rainbow around the head).
  • Kicking with equipment - arms are straight, holding the equipment over the knees; a noodle, a float or a ball. In that order slowly progressing from one piece of equipment to the next.
  • From a push and glide position, kicking with arms held straight by the sides of the body. Add a small toy onto the forehead for variety; the aim is to keep it there.
  • From a push and glide position, kicking with a float extended above the head.
  • From a push and glide position, kicking with arms extended above the head.
TEACHING POINTS
  • Floppy ankles.
  • Legs long and together.
  • Pointed toes.
  • Kick from the hip.
  • Small splashes near the surface.
CONSIDERATIONS
  • Be alert to swimmers bumping their heads on the wall or colliding with other swimmers or lane ropes.
  • When using equipment consider its level of floatation it provides as this can make activities easier or harder.

BACK CRAWL ARM ACTION

ACTIVITIES
  • Kicking with a back paddle arm action.
  • Standing in shallow water, carrying out the arm action, (can also be done on poolside).
  • ​From a push & glide position, kicking the legs and carrying out the arm action for a short distance.
TEACHING POINTS
  • Straight arm.
  • Arm passes close to the ear.
  • Little finger enters first.
  • Head stays still.
CONSIDERATIONS​
  • Repeat all activities and slowly building the distance traveled while ensuring the quality of the arm action is maintained.
BACK PADDLE - BACK CRAWL LEG KICK COMBINED WITH A SCULLING HAND ACTION.

BACK CRAWL BREATHING & TIMING

ACTIVITIES​
  • From a push & glide position, full stroke.
  • From a push & glide position, full stroke, breathing in as one arm leaves the water and breathing out as the other arm leaves the water.
TEACHING POINTS
  • Maintain a continuous leg kick.
  • Maintain a continuous arm action.
  • Breathe in as one arm leaves the water.
  • Breathe out as the the other arm leaves the water.
CONSIDERATIONS
  • Repeating activities and slowly building the distance travelled while ensure the quality of stroke is maintained.

Back Crawl

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