New
New
Lesson 2 of 6
  • All years

Range of strokes, treading water and signalling for help

I can swim breaststroke and select the most appropriate stroke for the intended outcome.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • All years

Range of strokes, treading water and signalling for help

I can swim breaststroke and select the most appropriate stroke for the intended outcome.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: a circular pulling action and turning the feet out during breaststroke kick will increase propulsion.
  2. Move: quality leg action in a vertical position whilst treading water will maintain the nose and mouth above the water.
  3. Think: different swimming strokes can be selected in relation to energy expenditure, body position and required outcome.
  4. Feel: when playing tag games being honest demonstrates integrity.
  5. Connect: collaborating can help us to identify the most appropriate swimming stroke in different scenarios.

Keywords

  • Breaststroke - a swimming stroke that involves a frog-like kick and a simultaneous arm movement while keeping the body in a horizontal position

  • Energy - the power that makes things move, work or grow

  • Treading water - a skill that allows a person to maintain their head above the water in a vertical position whilst staying in one place

Common misconception

Breaststroke is always swam with the head up.

Breaststroke can be swam with the head up in a survival situation or with the head submerging and lifting during each arm cycle.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Range of strokes, treading water and signalling for help, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils should blow their hands away from themselves when swimming breaststroke, this will ensure that the face is in the water when the arms are recovering back to the start position.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 x noodle per pupil, 1 x ball per pupil

Content guidance

  • Additional qualification required
  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which stroke involves an alternating arm and leg action on the front?

Correct answer: front crawl
backstroke
breaststroke

Q2.
Which part of your hand exits the water first when swimming backstroke?

Correct answer: thumb
little finger
palm

Q3.
When swimming backstroke, what do your arms do?

flap
Correct answer: backwards circles
wave

Q4.
What should the front crawl arm action be like?

Correct answer: controlled
fast
short

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What arm action is used when treading water?

Correct answer: sculling
front crawl
breaststroke

Q2.
What stroke should you use in a survival situation?

front crawl
Correct answer: head up breaststroke
butterfly

Q3.
What does being honest when playing tag games demonstrate?

trust
Correct answer: integrity
cooperation

Q4.
What shape do you make with your hands when performing the breaststroke pull?

Correct answer: circle
square
triangle