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Lesson 4 of 6
  • All years

The appropriate stroke for the intended purpose, including survival strokes

I can select the most appropriate swimming stroke for a given situation.

Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
  • All years

The appropriate stroke for the intended purpose, including survival strokes

I can select the most appropriate swimming stroke for a given situation.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: a head up swimming stroke is used for water polo and in survival situations.
  2. Move: artistic swimming strokes require good form and precision of movements.
  3. Think: different strokes are more suitable in different situations.
  4. Feel: trying different swimming strokes allows you to identify your strongest stroke, showing self-discipline.
  5. Connect: effective communication increases the team's chances of success.

Keywords

  • Survival stroke - designed to conserve energy and get to a point of safety in an emergency situation

  • Artistic swimming routine - choreographed movements performed in water

  • Egg beater - is an alternating leg action where the legs move in an inward circular motion

Common misconception

In emergency situations people often swim without assessing the situation first.

Floating for 60 seconds in a star float and then treading water to identify the most appropriate action is best for assessing a survival situation.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: The appropriate stroke for the intended purpose, including survival strokes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to turn to look if there is a point of safety visable in survial situations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 x ball per 6 pupils

Content guidance

  • 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.
Where should your arms be when performing the heat escape lessening position?

by your side
Correct answer: across the chest
in the air

Q2.
What should you be when providing feedback to your partner?

Correct answer: positive
negative
quiet

Q3.
What is the correct name for a turn in the water to change direction?

Correct answer: rotation
swivel
flip

Q4.
What does striving to succeed and do your best demonstrate?

trust
Correct answer: self-motivation
integrity

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which leg action is used in both water polo and artistic swimming?

Correct Answer: egg beater

Q2.
In an emergency situation, what should you do for 60 seconds before swimming?

tuck float
Correct answer: star float
pencil jump

Q3.
Which head up stroke is good for attacking in water polo?

Correct answer: front crawl
breaststroke
backstroke

Q4.
What skill is important when playing together and making decisions as a team?

self-motivation
recreation
Correct answer: communication