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Lesson 3 of 6
  • All years

Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines

I can use breaststroke over a distance of 25m or more and adapt my stroke when performing an artistic swimming routine.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • All years

Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines

I can use breaststroke over a distance of 25m or more and adapt my stroke when performing an artistic swimming routine.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: breaststroke requires steady timing and a pull, breathe, kick, glide sequence.
  2. Move: a streamlined body with a smooth, simultaneous kick increases speed.
  3. Think: a glide after each stroke uses less energy and reduces resistance.
  4. Feel: improving at challenging tasks demonstrates excellent resilience and self-motivation.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Breaststroke, increasing distance, artistic swimming routines, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teach basic practices such as jumping like a frog with the feet turned out.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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 sort of leg kick is done in backstroke?

Correct answer: alternating
single
double

Q2.
What is needed to keep going when a task is really hard?

respect
remorse
Correct answer: resilience

Q3.
Where should the eyes look when swimming backstroke?

in the water
down
Correct answer: upwards

Q4.
If you are unsure of the water depth, how should you enter?

dive
Correct answer: swivel
step

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is it called when you work as a team to create an artistic swimming routine?

construction
Correct answer: collaboration
criticism

Q2.
Why is it important to glide after each stroke when swimming breaststroke?

Correct answer: conserve energy
swim faster
it's a rule

Q3.
What shape do you make when pulling in breaststroke?

square
triangle
Correct answer: circle

Q4.
What should be done for a few seconds between each breaststroke leg kick?

Correct answer: glide
pull
breathe