New
New
All years

Peer assessment, competitive swimming, advanced safe self-rescue circuit

I can perform the correct finish during a swimming race for different strokes and know how to act in an aquatic emergency.

New
New
All years

Peer assessment, competitive swimming, advanced safe self-rescue circuit

I can perform the correct finish during a swimming race for different strokes and know how to act in an aquatic emergency.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

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 quickly and efficiently requires a recognised swimming stroke and the correct finish.
  2. Move: self-rescue includes floating, treading water, heat retaining positions, signalling for help and safe exits.
  3. Think: it is important to select the most appropriate action to take in an aquatic emergency.
  4. Feel: swimming multiple timed sets requires self-motivation to keep going.
  5. Connect: feedback should be provided in a positive manner to aid improvement.

Keywords

  • Finish - a technique used to complete a race following rules

  • Self-rescue - actions taken in a water based emergency to keep yourself safe

  • Relay - a race where a team of swimmers takes turns swimming

Common misconception

Pupils think that it is okay to turn over on to your front when finishing a backstroke race.

When swimming backstroke you should use the flags to count your strokes so that you finish a race on your back.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Peer assessment, competitive swimming, advanced safe self-rescue circuit, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Relay races can be repeated with staggered start times to make them more competitive.
Teacher tip

Equipment

pace clock or stopwatch; floating objects such as large bottles

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 the correct kick for breaststroke?
flutter kick
scissor kick
Correct answer: frog kick
Q2.
What helps swimmers keep a steady breathing rhythm during front crawl?
hold your breath
Correct answer: side breathing
looking up
Q3.
What is the correct body position for front crawl?
upright
Correct answer: horizontal streamline
knees bent
Q4.
Why is it important to glide after each stroke in breaststroke?
Correct answer: save energy
save time
save strokes

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the technique called when you get to the end of a race?
Correct answer: finish
start
final
Q2.
Where should you face when signalling for help?
the sky/ceiling
the water/downwards
Correct answer: the land/people
Q3.
What position should you be in to finish a backstroke race?
front
Correct answer: back
side
Q4.
What can be given in a positive manner to aid your partner's performance?
instructions
times
Correct answer: feedback