Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use breaststroke over a distance of 25m or more and adapt my stroke when performing an artistic swimming routine.
Key learning points
- Move: breaststroke requires steady timing and a pull, breathe, kick, glide sequence.
- Move: a streamlined body with a smooth, simultaneous kick increases speed.
- Think: a glide after each stroke uses less energy and reduces resistance.
- Feel: improving at challenging tasks demonstrates excellent resilience and self-motivation.
- Connect: working collaboratively with peers and responding to feedback improves our swimming technique.
Keywords
Breaststroke - a recognised swimming stroke, both arms move in a circular motion, the legs perform a frog kick
Artistic routine - a choreographed performance in the water that combines elements of swimming, dance, and gymnastics
Simultaneous - at the same time
Common misconception
Pupils think that they should kick as quickly as possible, without using a glide between each breaststroke leg kick.
Breaststroke is most effective when there is a short glide in the streamlined position between each leg kick.
Teacher tip
Teach basic practices such as jumping like a frog with the feet turned out.
Equipment
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 sort of leg kick is done in backstroke?
Q2.What is needed to keep going when a task is really hard?
Q3.Where should the eyes look when swimming backstroke?
Q4.If you are unsure of the water depth, how should you enter?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called when you work as a team to create an artistic swimming routine?
Q2.Why is it important to glide after each stroke when swimming breaststroke?
Q3.What shape do you make when pulling in breaststroke?
Q4.What should be done for a few seconds between each breaststroke leg kick?
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines, 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.