To teach the push-off, have the swimmer start in the ready position.   

Release the wall hand, and watch the hand as it travels toward the ear -- as if you were “answering the phone.”

As the hand leaves the wall, keep the elbow in the water until the hand gets to the ear. 

As the hand comes to the ear, the body stays close to the wall but rolls back and slightly to the side as you submerge.  To help you drop down, use the other hand to push up on the water.  

The two hands meet just above the head and lock together to get ready for streamline.  

As the feet push off, extend arms and legs simultaneously to add force to the push-off.    Leave the wall almost on your back, but slightly on your side.

Now take that same movement but, after the push, slowly rotate from the side to the front.  

Here it is again.  Start in Ready Position.  “Answer the phone” with the wall hand as you roll back, drop down, lock the hands, and extend into streamline.  Then rotate from side to front.

Next... try a ready-position push-off that positions you for a breaststroke or butterfly turn.

Start in Ready Position, except that your feet and knees will be turned more to the side.  Make sure the knees are higher than your hips.

Push off almost on your stomach, but slightly on your side.  Then slowly rotate from your side to your stomach.

When you’re comfortable with the ready-position and push-off on one side...

... try it on the other side, so that you can be comfortable pushing off on both sides.
Now you’re ready to start learning the open turns.


Sign In to watch video

Teaching Ready Position and Pushoff - Ready Position Push-Off