Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Coaching Tips
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004
Teaching Aquatics Skills - Stroke Development
Backstroke/Back Crawl
Have the swimmer use a pull buoy, if necessary, to keep feet and legs elevated.
Support the swimmer in the back float. Have the swimmer practice with one arm until the stroke is correct.
Switch and practice with the other arm.
Guide the swimmer’s hand along the body, past the hips, finishing with the arm fully extended. The hand will
be alongside the thigh.
Have the swimmer keep his/her shoulders back, head tilted forward at a 45-degree angle, eyes looking toward
the feet.
Body rotates slightly to the side of the arm stroke.
Encourage swimmer to push hips up.
Practice complete backstroke using both the arm stroke and kick, and progress to swimming
backstroke for 15 meters
Teaching Points
1. Assume the back float in waist-deep water.
2. Arms are extended over the head.
3. Head is kept still, with eyes looking toward the feet
4. Begin and maintain kicking with the backstroke kick.
5. Perform the arm stroke while kicking.
6. The arms rotate in opposition to each other.
7. Lift the shoulder to assist in leading the recovery hand.
8. Roll the shoulders, keeping head still, which will assist in leading the recovery.
9. Have the swimmer perform the backstroke for three to five full strokes.
10. Use fins with the swimmer’s kick to help maintain a high body position and aid in working on the arm action.
Coaching Tips
Hips and shoulder roll slightly with each stroke.
Breathing pattern: Inhale on right arm recovery. Exhale on left arm recovery.
Coach may assist by holding hips up as the swimmer performs the stroke, or have the swimmer perform the
skill using fins.
Swimmer may hold a small kickboard on their stomach with one hand, and practice with one arm at a time
while kicking.
Practice push and glide, start leg action, add arm action
Teaching Points
1. Continuous kick.
2. Breathe normally.
121