What this swimming skill is
After the arms sweep in under the chin, the hands need to get back out in front. Here your child pushes both hands forward together, like a rocket taking off, with no pause in between. It is a small change that makes the whole stroke feel smoother.
It comes after the breaststroke arm pull. Once the arms flow nicely, your child adds the breaststroke kick and then learns to put the whole stroke together.
Why it matters
A smoother stroke.
When the hands keep moving, your child keeps moving too, instead of stopping on every stroke.
Less tiring swimming.
A flowing stroke uses less effort, so your child can swim further before needing a rest.
Swimming straight.
When both hands reach forward evenly, your child travels in a straight line rather than drifting off course.
Who it is for
Children, teens, adults and seniors work on this once they have the basic arm movement of breaststroke. Your child is ready when they can sweep both arms out and in together, standing or sliding forward. If you are learning as an adult and pause with your hands at your chest, this skill often makes breaststroke far easier.
Pushing the hands forward
The goal
Your child pushes both hands forward together straight after each arm sweep, with no pause. They keep that even reach for 25 metres.
