The appropriate stroke for the intended purpose, including survival strokes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select the most appropriate swimming stroke for a given situation.
Key learning points
- Move: a head up swimming stroke is used for water polo and in survival situations.
- Move: artistic swimming strokes require good form and precision of movements.
- Think: different strokes are more suitable in different situations.
- Feel: trying different swimming strokes allows you to identify your strongest stroke, showing self-discipline.
- 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.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to turn to look if there is a point of safety visable in survial situations.
Equipment
1 x ball per 6 pupils
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where should your arms be when performing the heat escape lessening position?
Q2.What should you be when providing feedback to your partner?
Q3.What is the correct name for a turn in the water to change direction?
Q4.What does striving to succeed and do your best demonstrate?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which leg action is used in both water polo and artistic swimming?
Q2.In an emergency situation, what should you do for 60 seconds before swimming?
Q3.Which head up stroke is good for attacking in water polo?
Q4.What skill is important when playing together and making decisions as a team?
To help you plan your all 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...
To help you plan your all 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.
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: strokes, distance and safe self rescue unit, dive into the full physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.