**Backstroke Teaching Progression Step #4 Teach Backstroke Timing**

Smooth and efficient backstroke demands a steady and constant kick. For this reason, most swimmers develop a 6-beat kick naturally…without coaching.

The few times I’ve had to work on timing is when the swimmer over-kicks – which means they take more than 6 kicks in one stroke cycle. This often slows the stroke.

The best “fix” is to have the swimmer move just the arms (and move them FAST) and don’t kick. I tell them to float the legs, keep them relaxed, and don’t TRY to kick. But don’t PREVENT them from moving.

I tell them to just ALLOW the kick to happen…it will blend naturally into the stroke.

This fix also helps swimmers develop a continuous arm motion so that their hands don’t get stuck at either the entry or the exit.

Sometimes a long continuous backstroke swim can help a swimmer get the feel for the kick.

If a good backstroker “observes” their timing while swimming they will notice a 1-2-3, 1-2-3 kicking rhythm. Or… side-side-middle, side-side-middle.


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Step #4 Teach Backstroke Timing