What it is
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 at start—not tucked, not aiming up or back.
Progression
- 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.
- As confidence and mastery grow: slightly tuck the chin towards the chest, creating a "banana" shape to the body.
What goes wrong
- 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 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. Build trust through support—earn your swimmer's trust by supporting them unconditionally. Do not let go. No surprises. Provide full head and body support so the swimmer's body can relax; a relaxed swimmer will float easier.
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.