What it is
A supported back glide in which the swimmer is flat at the surface with belly and knees underwater, using a gentle kick for movement. Begins with complete instructor support and progresses toward independence.
The Script for Back Glides is the sequence of instructor cues used to teach a back glide where the body is flat at the surface, belly and knees underwater, with a gentle kick for movement.
Essentials
- "Turn away from me."
- "Put your shoulders in the water."
- "Tilt your head back to me."
- "Push off with my support."
- Body flat at surface; belly and knees underwater; gentle kick for movement.
- Head and chin in a neutral, normal position — not tucked, not aiming up or back.
Progression
- Full support: instructor cradles the swimmer's head (hand in back of neck), supports hips or belly. Swimmer rests head on instructor's shoulder.
- Reduced support: two fingers on the neck only.
- Brief independent glide, then hands in hands.
- As confidence and mastery grows: slight chin tuck toward the chest, creating a "banana" shape to the body.
- Full support: instructor holds the child at or above the water with the entire body supported by the instructor's shoulder and arms.
- Head on Shoulder: instructor puts shoulders in the water; swimmer rests head on instructor's shoulder; body supported by instructor's hands on legs or lower back. Move backwards together singing songs and kicking. Can hold swimmer by the knees and kick for them, or allow independent kicking.
- As confidence grows: reduce to two fingers on the back of the neck.
- Stand away so the swimmer can do a brief independent glide.
What goes wrong
- Tucked chin (beginner stage): return to neutral, normal chin position. The tuck comes later.
- Aiming up or back: return to neutral chin; body should be flat at the surface.
- Fear and tension: build trust through unconditional support. Do not let go. No surprises. A relaxed swimmer floats easier.
- Jumping up on push-off: use a horizontal push at start; "tilt head back" ensures smooth, flat initial movement.
- Face falling under: swimmer should be low in the water when initiating the glide; start low to minimise travel depth.
- Tucked chin or aiming up or back → Start with a flat body; head and chin in a neutral, normal position.
- Swimmer not relaxed → Provide full head and body support so the body can relax; a relaxed swimmer floats easier.
- Instructor lets go or surprises the swimmer → Support unconditionally. Do not let go. No surprises.
- Swimmer jumps up instead of gliding horizontally → "Tilt head back" ensures smooth flat initial movement; start low to minimise depth travelled and avoid the face falling under.
How you know it worked
Body is straight and flat at the surface, ears in the water, head mostly perpendicular to the surface. Gentle kick maintains position without the swimmer sinking or jumping.
Body is flat at the surface, belly and knees underwater, with a gentle kick producing horizontal movement. The swimmer can complete a brief independent glide.
How you teach it
Progress slowly. Swimmers are upside-down and backwards; it can be very scary. The priority is comfort in the supported back position. Build trust by supporting the swimmer unconditionally — do not let go, no surprises. Provide full head and body support so the swimmer's body can relax; a relaxed swimmer floats easier.
Use Head-on-Shoulder support: the instructor puts their shoulders in the water, the swimmer rests their head on the instructor's shoulder, and the instructor's hands support the swimmer's legs or lower back. Stand immediately behind the swimmer. You can move backwards together singing songs and kicking, or hold the swimmer by the knees and kick for them, or allow independent kicking.
The script should be spoken every lesson to every swimmer. When giving the script, adapt "Tilt your head back" to "Tilt your head back on to my shoulder" to make the support concrete. Focus the swimmer on the sensation of horizontal motion rather than a scary jump and fall under.
Stand immediately behind the swimmer. Place your hand in the back of the swimmer's neck and cradle the head. For the "Tilt your head back" cue, say "Tilt your head back on to my shoulder" to make it concrete. Support their hips or belly.
The "Put your shoulders in the water" cue means the instructor's own shoulders go in the water too—the swimmer is resting on you.
Start the glide low in the water. This minimises the depth the swimmer travels and avoids the face falling under. The focus is on the glide and the sensation of horizontal motion, not a scary jump and fall under.
Practice saying the script aloud and repeating it frequently. It should be spoken every lesson to every swimmer.
As confidence and mastery grow, transition from the flat-body neutral-chin start to a slight chin tuck towards the chest, creating a "banana" shape to the body. This applies to both back glides and backstroke.