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Freestyle to Backstroke Roll

Roll from front to back and back again without stopping, so you can swim and watch at once.

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

Set up

Swim 4 head-up freestyle strokes.

Core: Medium. Beat only your own smooth control.

Ages
11 and up
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Pool
Bring
Pool
Level · skill
Developing · Swimming

The steps

How it works

  1. Swim 4 head-up freestyle strokes.
  2. Roll onto your back and take 4 backstroke strokes.
  3. Roll back to your front and keep going.
  4. Do 6 widths.

Coaching point

Roll quick, keep moving.

Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Eyes-up swim-and-pass: swim a short distance with the ball in front and pass it to a partner. Swap, with a coach watching.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (short), Core (medium), More (a little longer). Beat only your own smooth control.

Story

You are a ship carrying treasure across the harbor.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat only your own smooth control. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

Free for families and teams

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