Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use backstroke over a distance of 25m or more.
Key learning points
- Move: swimming backstroke over longer distances requires a regular breathing pattern.
- Move: a streamlined position and smooth and continuous arm and leg action will increase speed.
- Think: a lower stroke count is more efficient and uses less energy.
- Feel: striving to improve at challenging tasks demonstrates excellent resilience and self-motivation.
- 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.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils when swimming backstroke pull the water and move it towards their feet.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called when you turn from your front onto your back in the water?
Q2.What body position helps reduce resistance in the water?
Q3.What style of front crawl arm pull is more energy efficient?
Q4.Where should you turn your head to breathe in front crawl?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How should your arms not move in backstroke?
Q2.What is a safe way to enter the pool if you're not sure how deep it is?
Q3.What sort of pattern should you use to breathe in backstroke?
Q4.What makes you swim faster backstroke?
To help you plan your all 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...
To help you plan your all 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.
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: water polo, artistic swimming and rookie lifeguard unit, dive into the full physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.