KS2 · Physical education · Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool
Swimming: water polo, artistic swimming and rookie lifeguard
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/9
Your learning goal
I can use backstroke over a distance of 25m or more.
1 of 9
Backstroke over increasing distances and safe entry into the pool: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
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.
Words to know
- 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 mistakes
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.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Encourage pupils when swimming backstroke pull the water and move it towards their feet.