*Update on Step-5 - This video was filmed prior to the FINA rule update FINA. (SW6.3) "Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race..." (except during a turn).  So the submerge now requires a strong upkick or single-leg upkick during the finish so some part of the body is above the water during the finish.*

I use a 5-step progression for teaching the backstroke finish to young swimmers. 

**Step #1** is to teach them a backstroke “glue” (the arm is pressed against -- “glued” -- to the head) position on land. 

She stands straight up with her head in a neutral position and her eyes looking forward. 

I help her put the right arm up, straight up and elbows locked, next to the head but behind the ear. Her fingers are aligned straight forward but her hand is extended slightly as if to touch the wall with the fingertips.

Then she does the left arm.

**Step #2** is to go to the water and have her practice kicking on her back in the glue position. I have her try both arms.

Next, I have her kick into the wall from the flags in the glue position, making sure she don’t move her head to the side to look for the wall, and keeping her body horizontal and her hand under water for the touch

Then I have her do the other arm.

**Step #3** is to measure 15 feet from the flags toward the middle of the pool, and stretch a soft rope across the lanelines. 

From a float position near the wall, swim backstroke at race speed, and count strokes from the flags to the rope.  

Use this number minus one or two strokes to develop stroke count from the flags to the wall.   

**Step #4** is to practice multiple mid-pool finishes with continuous arms using this stroke count. 

She starts with both arms by the side and, starting with the right arm, counts the designated number of strokes and does a mid-pool finish with a glue arm.

Next she starts stroking with the left arm and does the same thing.

She continues for almost a full length, but not yet into the wall.

**Step #5** is to teach how to submerge on the finishing arm.

One method is to teach the swimmer to lean back into the water and submerge the face on the last stroke.  Make sure to have her blow bubbles out her nose.

Another method for submerging is to have the swimmer tilt the head back, by following the last recovering arm into the water,

She will actually look upside down at the wall for an instant on the finishing arm.

Make sure to have her strongly blow bubbles out her nose.

of alignment with the body.

She should now try multiple mid-pool finishes with a submerge on the finishing arm.

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Teaching the Backstroke Finish