Swim 50 meters front and back crawl

Swim 50 meters front and back crawl (skill)

Definition: Swim continuous front and back crawl for 50 meters.

Core cues:

1. Head down when not breathing. Head turns to side during arm stroke.
2. No interruption of arms and kick when breathing.
3. Kick remains steady, rumble kick continues through arms and breaths.
4. Body rotates with arm strokes no more than 45°. Hips swing with arm stroke to pull water using torso.
5. Arms return to position 11, not X. Hands catch water early.
6. Head remains still, chin slightly tucked. Eyes above body targeting over the toes.
7. Kick remains steady, rumble kick continues through arms and drives movement and tempo.
8. Arms pull underwater with bent elbow finishing at thighs.
9. Must be good technique without stopping, pausing, holding wall or lanes lines.
10. Long body lines, long reaching arms, streamlines off walls, strong kick, arm strokes that push water.

Coach interpretation:

• Head down when not breathing. Head turns to side during arm stroke: Watch that the head stays face-down when not breathing and turns to the side only during the arm stroke.
• No interruption of arms and kick when breathing: Ensure arms and kick continue without interruption during breaths.
• Kick remains steady, rumble kick continues through arms and breaths: Monitor a steady, continuous kick throughout arm strokes and breaths.
• Body rotates with arm strokes no more than 45°. Hips swing with arm stroke to pull water using torso: Check that body rotation does not exceed 45° and that hips swing with the arm stroke to engage the torso.
• Arms return to position 11, not X. Hands catch water early: Verify arms return to position 11 (not crossing to an X) and hands catch water early.
• Head remains still, chin slightly tucked. Eyes above body targeting over the toes: Observe that the head is still, chin slightly tucked, and eyes look over the toes.
• Kick remains steady, rumble kick continues through arms and drives movement and tempo: Confirm the kick is steady and drives movement and tempo.
• Arms pull underwater with bent elbow finishing at thighs: Watch that arms pull underwater with a bent elbow and finish at the thighs.
• Must be good technique without stopping, pausing, holding wall or lanes lines: Ensure the swimmer maintains good technique without stopping, pausing, or holding the wall or lane lines.
• Long body lines, long reaching arms, streamlines off walls, strong kick, arm strokes that push water: Look for long body lines, long reaching arms, streamlines off walls, a strong kick, and arm strokes that push water.

Teaching strategy:

Level 4s should setup in lanes with or without benches based on the height and ages of your swimmers. Use benches still! Yes! They are still effective, but not required. Remove benches to swim whole lengths. Work in drills, fins, kick boards, pull buoys etc. Instructors can walk along side of the lane outside pool or remain in the water provided they have the best vantage point to see swimmers as they move in the water. Use swim team sets.

Common errors and corrections:

• Stopping, pausing, holding wall or lanes lines: Must be good technique without stopping, pausing, holding wall or lanes lines.
• Head not down when not breathing: Head down when not breathing. Head turns to side during arm stroke.
• Interruption of arms and kick when breathing: No interruption of arms and kick when breathing.
• Body rotates more than 45°: Body rotates with arm strokes no more than 45°.
• Arms return to X instead of 11: Arms return to position 11, not X.
• Hands do not catch water early: Hands catch water early.
• Head not still, chin not tucked: Head remains still, chin slightly tucked.
• Arms pull with straight elbow: Arms pull underwater with bent elbow finishing at thighs.

Progression:

Before: Front crawl 20 meters w/ bilateral breathing, Back crawl 20 meters w/ body in soldier. After: (not specified in source).

Short verified cues (confirmed present; check by eye): “Use swim team sets”