How to Teach the Side Stroke

The side stroke is important to learn because it allows the swimmer to travel long distances and can be used as a survival stroke. The side stroke has the swimmer lying on his side in the water, using the arms and legs simultaneously, but not in the same manner. One side of the legs and arms are used, giving the other side of the body time to rest. This gives the swimmer the ability to turn over in the water and use her rested arm and leg while giving the other arm and leg a chance to rest.

Instructions

    • 1

      Show the swimmer how to execute the kicking part of the side stroke. Teach the swimmer to begin with her body in the water sideways with her back facing a pool wall. Tell the swimmer that his head stays above water at all times during this stroke.

    • 2

      Have him begin by keeping his legs straight out in front of him in this sideways position. Have him pull his legs up toward the rest of his body and kick out. Each leg will be moving opposite of the other, like scissors. The leg closest to the top of the water is kicked forward, while the leg closest to the bottom of the pool is kicked back. After the legs are kicked outward, explain to the swimmer to bring them back together to the starting position. Explain to her that this is called the scissor kick.

    • 3

      Have the swimmer hold onto the edge of the pool or a lane rope and have him work on the scissor kick. Have him work on one side for a specified number of repetitions and then switch to the other side for more repetitions.

    • 4

      Begin teaching the arm movements. Show the swimmer that the arm closest to the top of the water begins straight, parallel with the body. The opposite arm, closest to the bottom of the pool, is extended forward, away from the body.

    • 5

      Explain to the swimmer that when he brings in his legs to kick, he needs to bring in his hands toward his chest at the same time. Then explain that the arm closest to the top of the water comes across her chest with her elbow bent, while the arm closest to the bottom of the pool needs to bend so the elbow is perpendicular to the body.

    • 6

      Show the swimmer to then pull his arms out of the stroke and extend them at same time he extends his legs back to the starting position.

    • 7

      Have the swimmer practice the arm movements out of the water first by bending at her waist to simulate side movement in the water.

    • 8

      Show the swimmer the moves together and then have him practice them together. Switch sides so that the swimmer gets practice on both sides.