**Common Backstroke Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Mistake #2: Moving the Head**

Another common problem swimmers have is moving the head, and this can take many forms.   Some swimmers move the head side-to-side with the entering arm.

Others move the head side-to-side toward the recovering arm.

Others move the head just to one side or swim lopsided all the time. 

The first thing is to make the swimmer aware of their head movement.
You can use a Styrofoam head to demonstrate. This usually makes them laugh because it looks so ridiculous.  But it isn’t them.  It’s just a head.

Showing the movement on video works wonders. 

You can use a mirror.   Just hold it over them as they swim.

Positioning techniques always work.

When coaching, make sure you give the swimmer something to focus on.  I’m telling this swimmer to look down her recovering arm. As long as she recovers the arm straight up and over her eye, her head will remain straight.

Another excellent technique that can be used during station workouts is to set up a rope and have the swimmers follow directly under it. The eyes stay focused on the rope as the arms recover to either side of the rope.

A classic fix is to use a cup -- or anything the swimmer can balance on their forehead. Start slowly with kicking and gradually increase the speed of the arms.

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Mistake #2: Moving the Head