Thumb, Hi, Pinky, Push (cue_set)
Definition: A cue set for back crawl arm rotation performed on the surface. The swimmer rotates on the surface like a clock hand to use water to push hips and feet up.
Core cues:
- Thumb, Hi, Pinky, Push
Coach interpretation:
- Thumb, Hi, Pinky, Push: The instructor leads with demonstration. The swimmer stands on deck in soldier position. The cue guides the arm through its rotation path on the surface — the arm moves like a clock hand, using the water to push the hips and feet up.
- rotate on the surface like a clock hand: Watch for the arm tracing a circular path on the water surface rather than lifting out of the water.
- push hips and feet up: Watch for the hips and feet rising as a result of the arm's water contact, not from kicking.
Teaching strategy:
Standing on deck. Start in soldier. INS lead with demonstration. Introduce the cue "Thumb, Hi, Pinky, Push" while the swimmer is on deck in soldier position. Progress to Challenge 4: Float on back, and spin/rotate using one arm. Float with or without support from INS. The swimmer should rotate on the surface to use water to push hips and feet up, rotating like a clock hand.
Progression:
- Before: Back Crawl Arms on Deck (standing on deck, start in soldier, INS lead with demonstration)
- Challenge 4: Float on back, and spin/rotate using one arm. Float with or without support from INS.
- After: Activity 9: Kicking to move. Activity 10 / Challenge 5: Use floating assists or lifejackets, go somewhere in the pool by kicking.
Short verified cues (confirmed present; check by eye): “Standing on deck.”, “Start in soldier.”, “INS lead with”, “demonstration:”, “Challenge 4:”, “using one arm.”, “from INS.”, “Swimmer should”, “rotate on the”, “Kicking to move”, “Use floating”, “assists or”, “lifejackets, go”, “somewhere in”, “the pool by”, “kicking.”