Front paddle and floating
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can experiment using different travel techniques to know how to travel forwards through water.
Key learning points
- Move: swimming using the front paddle requires reaching and pulling with the arms whilst kicking with the legs.
- Move: swimming forwards requires us to pull the water backwards.
- Think: using the correct technique with our head, arms and feet enables us to travel through the water.
- Feel: showing confidence in our swimming technique will help to improve performance.
- Connect: showing empathy and encouragement helps others with their technique.
Keywords
Front paddle - the activity of moving on our fronts using our feet to kick and arms to pull
Kicking - movement of legs which produces propulsion
Pulling - a method to move the water backwards to travel forwards
Common misconception
Pupils swim front paddle with their head out of the water.
Get pupils to lean forwards to ensure their chin or face is in the water.
Teacher tip
Flotation equipment can be used throughout the lesson to support non-swimmers.
Equipment
small floats, large floats , balls, noodles
Content guidance
Additional qualification required
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How close should you be from an adult in open water?
Q2.What is it called when you move streamlined position in the water?
Q3.How many messages are in the water safety code?
Q4.What are you showing when you give your peers time and space to perfect an action?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How do you kick your legs when swimming front paddle?
Q2.When pulling while swimming front paddle what should your fingers be like?
Q3.When swimming front paddle, where should your chin or face be positioned?
Q4.What should the front paddle arm action be like?
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Front paddle and floating, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Front paddle and floating, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Swimming: an introduction to core aquatic skills and survival swimming unit, dive into the full physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.