What this swimming skill is
The glide is the quiet moment in breaststroke, just after the kick, when your child slides forward. They stretch out long with the head down and legs together, like a pencil sliding through the water. Holding that shape for a moment lets the kick carry them further.
This comes once your child can swim breaststroke in the right order. The next step is keeping the stroke smooth over longer swims.
Why it matters
Further with each stroke.
A long, still shape slips through the water, so every kick takes your child further.
A moment to rest.
The glide is a tiny break built into every stroke, which helps with longer swims.
Calmer swimming.
Stretching out and sliding feels peaceful, and many swimmers say it is when breaststroke starts to feel easy.
Who it is for
Children, teens, adults and seniors work on this once the timing of breaststroke is in place. Children often lift their heads to see where they are going. Your instructor gives them something to look at on the pool floor. If you learned breaststroke with your head up, putting your face down for the glide may be the biggest change. It is often the most helpful one too.
Right after the kick
The goal
As your child's legs come together after the kick, their arms finish reaching forward. They hold a long, straight shape for a moment before the next stroke.
