Front crawl over increasing distance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use front crawl over a distance of 25m or more and adapt my front crawl stroke when playing games.
Key learning points
- Move: swimming front crawl requires a regular breathing pattern whilst maintaining the kicking action.
- Move: a streamlined position with 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.
Keywords
Front crawl - a recognised swimming stroke using alternating arm and leg action on the front, with arms recovering over the water and breathing to the side
Front crawl breathing pattern - a consistent rhythm of turning the head to the side to inhale
Common misconception
Pupils think that they should breathe as little as often, or always breathe to the same side.
Breathing every 3 arms pulls maintains body position and oxygen supply to the working muscles.
Teacher tip
Pupils can practise breathing techniques whilst standing in shallow water to increase confidence.
Equipment
noodles, 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 should you do in an emergency situation before swimming?
Q2.What are you trying to maintain when in a group huddle?
Q3.What helps us perform our best in an emergency situation?
Q4.What should the arms be like when swimming front paddle?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Why is it important to have a regular breathing pattern when swimming front crawl over longer distances?
Q2.How many arm pulls should you take between breaths when swimming front crawl?
Q3.What are we showing when we congratulate and encourage our peers?
Q4.Why do we aim to reduce our stroke count when swimming front crawl?
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Front crawl over increasing distance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your all physical education lesson on: Front crawl over increasing distance, 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.