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Breaststroke Pullout

Practice the long underwater pull and kick used after every breaststroke start and turn.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Push off and glide in streamline.

Core: To the second. Aim for a long, relaxed glide.

Ages
11 and up
Time
10 min
Players
Just you
Space
Pool
Bring
Pool
Level · skill
Developing · Starts & Turns

The steps

How it works

  1. Push off and glide in streamline.
  2. Pull your arms all the way to your thighs and glide.
  3. Bring your hands up close to your body, kick once and rise.
  4. Do 8 rounds in total.

Coaching point

Glide, pull, glide, kick.

Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. Breathe normally before you go under, never take extra fast breaths, and come up as soon as you want air.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Glide game: from the wall, push off and glide to a floating ring, then your partner goes. The pair collects ten smooth glides, with an adult watching.

Challenge

Pick a distance: Less (to the first flag), Core (to the second), More (to the third). Aim for a long, relaxed glide.

Story

You are a seal launching from a rock into the sea.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for a long, relaxed glide. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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