What this swimming skill is
On their back, your child cannot see the wall coming. So the turn starts before the wall: they count their strokes from something they can see overhead. That count tells them exactly when the wall is near.
Many children first learn a simple version: touch the wall with a hand, tuck, spin round and push off on the back. Children heading for a swim team go on to a version that uses the flip turn roll. Next comes the medley, where your child swims all four strokes in one swim.
Why it matters
No more bumped heads.
A reliable count means your child knows where the wall is, even while looking at the sky.
Backstroke that keeps going.
Turning smoothly lets your child swim several lengths of backstroke without stopping.
Confidence on the back.
Knowing when the wall is coming takes away a real worry for many children.
Ready for swim team.
If your child swims in meets, we teach the version their meets use.
Who it is for
This is for children, teens and adults who swim backstroke comfortably. Your child is ready when they can swim a length on their back in a fairly straight line. For the swim team version, they also need a steady front crawl flip turn. If you are learning as an adult and swim backstroke for fitness, the simpler hand-touch version is safe and works well.
Counting in to the wall
The goal
Your child counts strokes from a marker overhead, knows exactly when the wall is near and turns without a bump. They push off on their back and keep swimming.
Why it matters
The count protects your child's head and takes the guesswork out of the wall. It is the base of every safe backstroke turn and finish.
What happens in lessons
Choosing a marker.
Your instructor and your child pick something overhead near the end of the pool. It tells them the wall is coming.
Counting slowly.
Your child swims gently on their back and counts strokes from the marker to the wall, with a hand reaching back.
Adding the turn.
Once the count is reliable, your child learns to turn at the wall and push off on their back.
A bit more speed.
Only when the count works every time does the swim get faster. Children heading for a team then learn the version with a roll.
How you can help between lessons
- In the pool, count strokes together from your marker to the wall, swimming slowly. Stay in the water within arm's reach.
Common questions
- Our home pool has no backstroke flags. How will my child know where the wall is?
- Your instructor picks a marker your child can see while on their back, like a roof edge, a tree or a light. Then they count strokes from there to the wall. They practise until the count is the same every time.
- My child is scared of hitting their head. What do you do?
- That fear is healthy. Your instructor starts with slow swims and a hand reaching back, and stays close. Confidence comes from a count that works every single time.
- Will the count change?
- Yes, as your child grows and gets stronger. Your instructor checks the count often and adjusts it.
- Does my child need the version with a roll?
- Only if they want to race. The hand-touch version is safe and perfectly good for swimming for fun or fitness. If your child swims in meets, we teach the version their meets use.
