New
New
All years

Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool

I can use backstroke over a distance of 25m or more.

New
New
All years

Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool

I can use backstroke over a distance of 25m or more.

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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: swimming backstroke over longer distances requires a regular breathing pattern.
  2. Move: a streamlined position and smooth and continuous arm and leg action will increase speed.
  3. Think: a lower stroke count is more efficient and uses less energy.
  4. Feel: striving to improve at challenging tasks demonstrates excellent resilience and self-motivation.
  5. Connect: congratulating our peers when they perform well shows that you are respectful to others.

Keywords

  • Backstroke - is swum on the back and requires good body position, rhythm and coordination, using alternating arms over the water and alternating flutter kick

  • Backstroke breathing pattern - a consistent rhythm of exhaling is required to reduce tiredness when swimming longer distances

Common misconception

Pupils think that moving your arms faster makes you swim faster.

Catching and pulling the water slowly and effectively produces greater forward travel and increases speed.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils when swimming backstroke pull the water and move it towards their feet.
Teacher tip

Equipment

a random selection of floating objects and toys, sinkers , pace clock or stopwatch

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.
What is it called when you turn from your front onto your back in the water?
backstroke
Correct answer: rotation
floating
Q2.
What body position helps reduce resistance in the water?
sitting
standing
Correct answer: streamlined
Q3.
What style of front crawl arm pull is more energy efficient?
Correct answer: long
fast
shallow
Q4.
Where should you turn your head to breathe in front crawl?
down
ahead
Correct answer: sideways

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How should your arms not move in backstroke?
continuous
alternating
Correct answer: simultaneously
Q2.
What is a safe way to enter the pool if you're not sure how deep it is?
Correct answer: swivel entry
jump
dive
Q3.
What sort of pattern should you use to breathe in backstroke?
Correct Answer: regular
Q4.
What makes you swim faster backstroke?
Correct answer: efficient, slow stroke
fast stroke
slow stroke