The Fundamental Survival Backstroke Swim skill primarily develops Propulsion CompetencyPropulsion CompetencyPropulsion Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to travel through the water using the movement of limbs in a controlled and efficient manner. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to perform gross and fine motor control patterns necessary to swim using different techniques in more than one body position. Cognitive abilities include determining which body position and technique is best suited for the conditions and circumstances of the task at hand, and an awareness of energy expenditure to regulate pace or speed. and contributes to the development of Breath Control CompetencyBreath Control CompetencyBreath Control Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without using excessive energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position while in the water. Physical abilities associated with this competency include the physical exchange of air and keeping the body in a position at the surface so that the exchange of air can occur. Cognitive abilities include determining when to breathe and when to hold the breath. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner with the face both above and below the surface of the water.. Fundamental Survival Backstroke (alternatively – elementary backstroke) is the introduction to forward propulsion on the back using symmetrical arm movements and symmetrical leg movements. Students will be introduced to the finer gross motor patterns of arm and leg movements compared to the beginner level.
The Fundamental Survival Backstroke Swim skill is defined by the following body posturePostureThe particular way the body is held while doing an activity. Mobility specialists define posture as the way you position your body or arrange your limbs, such as “to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up.”, arm formsFormThe visible shape or configuration of something. Mobility specialists define form as an arrangement of the elements in a composition; the way something (or someone) is shaped or arranged., leg forms, breathing, and timing characteristics and features.
Fundamental Survival Backstroke Swim Description #
Body
Body positioned on back
Chest and hips at or near surface
Head, neck, and spine in line
Face above surface
Arms
Arms move symmetrically
Arms and hands remain under surface
Stroke cycle
Start with arms straight and at sides
Bend elbows to bring hands up along sides to shoulders
Move hands out at or slightly above shoulder level until arms are straight
Sweep or press arms towards feet
Finish with arms straight and at sides
Legs
Legs move symmetrically
Kick cycle
Start with legs straight, together, and toes pointed
Bend knees to bring heels towards hips with knees slightly separated
Flex ankles and turn toes out
Extend knees to press legs backward and together
Finish with legs straight, together, and toes pointed
Breathing
Forward travel not halted to breathe
Timing
Perform one stroke cycle per kick cycle
Finish stroke and kick cycles at about same time
Pause and glide between cycles
Fundamental Survival Backstroke Swim Demonstration #
The following scoring rubricScoring rubricA guide that includes rating scales and descriptions of one or more criteria used to evaluate the performance of a skill. lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels. A single score is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.
Fundamental Survival Backstroke Swim Scoring Rubric #
1
Exhibits any of the following:
Distance
Swims less than 3 yards
Achieves distance primarily due to a push-off or a jump
Body
Swims mostly on front, on side, or under the surface
Keeps trunk angle, from chest to hips, more than 45 degrees
2
Performs all of the following:
Distance
Swims on mostly back for at least 3 yards
Body
Keeps chest at or near the surface with trunk angled 45 degrees or less
Arms/Legs
Uses mostly symmetrical arm and/or mostly symmetrical leg movements
Exhibits any of the following:
Body
Keeps trunk angle, from chest to hips, more than 30 degrees
Keeps face mostly below the surface
Arms/Stroke
Does not use mostly symmetrical arm movements
Does not recover hands up near chest level
Does not move hands out away from body before or during arm sweeps
Finishes arm sweeps before hands pass chest level
Legs/Kick
Does not use mostly symmetrical leg movements
Does not bend or extend legs during kicks
3
Performs all of the following:
Distance
Swims on mostly back for at least 5 yards
Body
Keeps chest at or near the surface with trunk angled 30 degrees or less
Keeps face mostly above the surface
Arms/Stroke
Uses mostly symmetrical arm movements
Recovers hands up to or past chest level
Moves hands out away from body before or during arm sweeps
Finishes arm sweeps with hands past chest level
Legs/Kick
Uses mostly symmetrical leg movements
Bends knees to bring heels towards hips to start kick cycles
Extends legs during kicks
Exhibits any of the following:
Arms/Stroke
Moves hands out away from sides when bringing them up
Does not recover hands up to or past shoulder level before moving hands out
Does not move hands out until arms are mostly straight before starting arm sweeps
Does not finish arm sweeps with arms near sides and hands near or past hip level
Legs/Kick
Does not separate legs during kicks
Does not finish kicks with legs straight and together
Breathing/Timing
Does not breathe or halts forward travel to breathe
Does not use arms and legs at the same time
4
Performs all of the following:
Distance
Swims on back for 10 yards
Body
Keeps chest at or near the surface with trunk angled 30 degrees or less
Keeps face mostly above the surface
Arms/Stroke
Uses mostly symmetrical arm movements
Recovers hands up along sides to or past shoulder level before moving hands out
Moves hands out until arms are mostly straight before starting arm sweeps
Finishes arm sweeps with arms near sides and hands near or past hip level
Legs/Kick
Uses mostly symmetrical leg movements
Bends knees to bring heels towards hips to start kick cycles