The Doggy Paddle

In this article, we’ll provide advice, drills, hacks and tips on the undervalued but key swimming drill of the doggy paddle.

What is the doggy paddle?

The doggy paddle is a basic swimming technique which focuses on the underwater catch and the pull of the arm strokes that resembles the actions used by a dog when swimming, hence its name.

Although it’s often taught by learn-to-swim teachers, doggy paddle drills are often used by some of the world’s top swimmers.

The benefits of the doggy paddle

The doggy paddle can provide a swimmer with a series of benefits. These include,

An introductory swimming drill

The doggy paddle is used by many swimming teachers as a ‘learn-to-swim technique’

Improving the freestyle technique

The doggy paddle is used by many swimming coaches to improve a swimmer’s freestyle technique.

• Some swimmers pull with an arm stroke which is too wide and away from their body.
• Other swimmers cross their arm stroke over the centre line of their body.
• These both ineffective arm strokes, often cause the swimmer to snake through the water.
• The doggy paddle is an effective drill to help correct these technical faults.

To develop a feel for the water

The doggy paddle is an effective drill which can help a swimmer develop a feel for the water.

• A feel for the water is the ability of a swimmer to place their hands and arms in the correct position, with the right amount of force to obtain maximum propulsion.

We have produced a related article on developing a feel for the water. Which you can view by clicking this link: developing a feel for the water

To develop arm and core strength

The doggy paddle is an effective drill for developing a swimmer’s arm and core strength.

We have produced a related article on developing your swimming core. Which you can view by clicking this link: developing your swimming core

As a recovery swim

The doggy paddle can be used as an effective recovery swim.

• Recovery swims are those sets and/or repetitions (reps) that are performed at a slow swimming pace to enable the swimmer to recover from the rigours of the training during a session.
• The doggy paddle can also be used as a part of a warm-up and /or cooldown.

We have produced a related article on recovery swims an introduction. Which you can view by clicking this link: recovery swims

As a fun drill

The doggy paddle can be a great way of introducing some fun into a training session.

• It can even be used as a fun relay.

We have produced a related article on swimming training making it fun. Which you can view by clicking this link: on swimming training making it fun

As a high-intensity drill

The doggy paddle requires the swimmer to continually move their arms against the resistance of the water, with no glide phase.

• This makes a quick tempo doggy paddle, an effective drill for use in a high-intensity training set.

Doggy paddle drills

Doggy paddle drill

Introduction:  An undervalued drill, the doggy paddle is great for developing and maintaining the swimmers sculling skills and feel for the water, during the pull phase of the freestyle stroke.

How to perform this drill:

• From a push and glide from the wall at the end of the pool.
• The swimmer starts this drill in the horizontal/prone position.
• The swimmer’s head should be out of the water.
• The swimmer proceeds with a series of alternate arm sculls.
• They should ensure they extend their arms with their palms face down, fully into the catch position.
• They should continue the sculling motion with their wrists up and their fingers pointing down to the bottom of the pool, in a straight line, back to their chest.
• Swimmers should recover their hands and arms back into the catch position, underwater.
• They should ensure they rotate at the hips during each arm pull
• They should also ensure they are performing a strong and steady flutter kick.
• The swimmer’s feet should be in a pointed in a plantar flexion position. (see diagram above)
• Complete this progression for one length of the pool (25m)
• Swimmers may also benefit from using a snorkel, a pull buoy, hand paddles or swim fins.
• Younger and less experienced swimmers may benefit from using a noodle across their chest and under their armpits for extra support.

Advanced doggy paddle drill

Introduction: Once mastered swimmers can move onto an advance doggy paddle drill.

How to perform this drill:

• This requires the swimmer to perform the drill with a longer pull finishing at the hips.
• Swimmers can either lower their head position so that their chin is on the water’s surface.
• They can remain in this position when breathing.
• If they prefer to raise their head slightly, they can push down when sculling forcefully, which will facilitate the swimmer’s upper body rising.
• Swimmers may also benefit from using a snorkel, a pull buoy, hand paddles or swim fins.

Longarm doggy paddle drill

Introduction: Once mastered swimmers can move onto the longarm doggy paddle drill.

How to perform this drill:

• This requires the swimmer to perform the drill with a fully extended catch and a pull finishing at the thighs.
• The swimmers head should be fully immersed.
• They should employ freestyle bi-lateral breathing.
• Swimmers should ensure that they rotate their trunk and hips to facilitate a long stroke.
• Swimmers may also benefit from using a snorkel, a pull buoy, hand paddles or swim fins.

Takeaways

The doggy Paddle is a basic swimming technique that resembles the actions used by a dog when swimming, hence its name.

The doggy paddle can provide the swimmer with a series of benefits. These include,

• An introductory swimming drill
• Improving the freestyle technique
• To develop a feel for the water
• To develop arm and core strength
• As a recovery swim
• Used as a fun drill
• As a high-intensity drill

Related publication: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills

We have published a related publication: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills

• This publication provides coaches, teachers and swimmers with over 90 tried and tested competitive freestyle drills and progressions.
• For further details and ordering information please use the following link: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills

Related publication: Swimming Plus: FREESTYLE

Swimming Plus FREESTYLE is a publication designed for those swimmers who want to improve their freestyle swimming technique.

• Swimming Plus FREESTYLE provides you with a series of structured and progressive session training plans, plus detailed drill descriptions and expert coaching tips.
• With Swimming Plus FREESTYLE, you can progress at your own pace when it’s convenient for you.

For further details and ordering information please use the following link: Swimming Plus: Freestyle

Swimming resource library

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• This contains links to all of our publications and blog articles.
• Now with an easy to use index.
• To access any article simply click on the attached page link: swimming resource library

The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group

We are members of the Competitive Swimming Exchange. This is a competitive swimming Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.

• It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents. In fact, it’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water