So it’s summertime, and you’re playing in the backyard pool.  Here’s a couple ways to incorporate good technique into your play.

Why do it:
When you’re in the water, your body is learning how to interact with the water.  Have fun, but make the fun productive.

How to do it:
1 - Like the Toypedo, create a balanced bodyline on the surface of the water.  Have your friend (brother), grab your feet and push you down the pool.  Hold you’re line until you get to the other end.  This is great for core stability and streamline practice.
2 - Tuck up into as small a ball as possible, and have your friend start to roll you around in circles.  This is great to teach that tight tuck for your flip turns.  Any small lift of the head, and it becomes MUCH tougher to spin.

How to do it really well (the fine points):
Combining these two little games can be challenging.  Have your friend spin you, and then slowly open up into a balanced, streamline bodyline.  Move to the next level, spin, extend to a balanced body line, and then rotate 180° to your back, trying to not allow your legs to drop.

Enjoy, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

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All Strokes - Backyard Balance