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Head-up frontcrawl

Stroke analysis • Drills • Pictures • Discussion

Head-up front crawl allows the player to move themselves and the ball around the playing area at some speed. A good vision of the field of play is maintained thoughout.

Transitions to other strokes and changes of direction and speed are an important extension of this stroke.

Stroke analysis

	Action
Body position	Head high out of the water - four fingers from the water to the chin; head remains still in relation to shoulder action; player should be able to look forwards, left or right; hips under the water; feet reach the surface.
Legs and feet	Steady alternating kick; knees bend slightly; feet pointed and slightly in-toed; deep kick which starts just below the surface.
Arms and hands	Alternating action; elbows are held high; hands enter ball width apart Entry - fingertips slide into the water in line with the shoulders. Propulsion - after entry the hands catch the water, pressing out and then in; then hands and forearm push down beside the waist Recovery - from the waist the arm recovers over of the water with bent elbows
Breathing	Regular breathing as required
Timing	Co-ordination of kicking and pulling into a continuous action; left leg kicks down firmly as right arm enters the water. Co-ordination of kicking and pulling into a consistent action;
Ball handling	The ball is controlled with the sides of the arms without use of the hands; the ball is pushed forwards on the crest of a wave in front of the player; the ball should not wobble from side to side

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Drills

Without a ball

Description	Level	Teaching points
Swim across the pool with head up with arms recovering under the water (doggy paddle)	Beginner	Keep the head still
Swim across the pool with head up with arms recovering over the water (doggy paddle)	Beginner	Keep the head still
Swim across the pool and count your strokes; increase your strokes (20,30,40) per width	Intermediate	Keep your elbows high
Swim across the pool with chicken-wing arms	Intermediate	Keep elbows bent and high

With a ball

Description	Level	Teaching points
Walk across the pool pushing a ball 'with the nose' and using a front crawl arm action	Beginner	Do not touch the ball with the hands
Swim across the pool pushing a ball 'with the nose'.	Beginner	Do not touch the ball with the hands
Swim across the pool with a ball.	Intermediate	Keep your elbows high Keep your head still

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