Back crawl builds on the back float. The arms circle backward while a steady kick keeps the body up, and the face stays out of the water the whole time. This lesson starts with the arms out of the water, then moves into the pool.
Step by step
1. Arms out of the water
1
Arm circles out of the water
- Start out of the water, standing on the deck.
- Swing one arm backward in a big circle, up past the ear and over, like a windmill in reverse. Alternate arms.
- Keep the arm long and relaxed as it comes up and over, with the thumb leading. As the hand goes back in, turn the palm out so the pinky finger enters first.
2. In the water
2
Push, kick and swim on the back
- Start with the back push and glide from the earlier lesson, with the chin up to the sky.
- As the swimmer glides, add a steady flutter kick and a few arm strokes, one arm at a time.
- Swim to someone waiting a few feet away.
Tip
Water on the face is more common here, since there is no way to see it coming. A relaxed, slightly tucked chin helps keep it out of the nose and mouth.
Track progress
0 / 3- Arm circles out of the water
- Thumb comes out of the water, pinky enters first
- Push, kick and swim on the back