BSI Swimming Skills Instruction 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stroke is generally considered the most restful because of its long glide?
- Front crawl
- Back crawl
- Elementary backstroke (Correct answer)
- Butterfly
Correct answer: Elementary backstroke
The elementary backstroke has a long glide phase, and the face stays out of the water.
Question 2: A student's breaststroke kick is asymmetrical, with one foot pointed and one flexed. What is this called, and why does it matter?
- A legal variation
- A scissor-type fault that cuts propulsion (Correct answer)
- A dolphin kick error
- Normal for beginners and can be ignored
Correct answer: A scissor-type fault that cuts propulsion
An uneven kick with one foot pointed turns into a scissor action, which loses power.
Question 3: What is the recommended breathing pattern for a beginner learning rotary breathing in front crawl?
- Holding the breath for the whole length
- Lifting the head forward each stroke
- Breathing every stroke on the preferred side, then working toward bilateral breathing (Correct answer)
- Breathing only at the wall
Correct answer: Breathing every stroke on the preferred side, then working toward bilateral breathing
Breathing every stroke on one side builds comfort before students try alternating sides.
Question 4: In the sidestroke, what does the leading arm do during the power phase?
- Pushes toward the feet beside the body
- Recovers over the water
- Pulls from the extended position toward the shoulder (Correct answer)
- Stays still at the hip
Correct answer: Pulls from the extended position toward the shoulder
The leading arm pulls from overhead toward the shoulder while the trailing arm pushes toward the feet.
Question 5: Which teaching method has students try a skill first and then refine it with feedback?
- Reciprocal timing method
- Lecture-only method
- Command-only method
- Whole-part-whole method (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Whole-part-whole method
Whole-part-whole has students try the whole skill, work on its parts, and then do the whole skill again.
Question 6: How should the arms recover in the front crawl?
- With the palms facing the sky
- With a high elbow and relaxed forearm (Correct answer)
- Underwater beside the body
- Straight and stiff over the water
Correct answer: With a high elbow and relaxed forearm
A high-elbow recovery keeps the arm relaxed and the hand entry in line.
Question 7: What is the best way for an instructor to give feedback on a stroke error?
- Point out every error at once
- Wait until the end of the session
- Name one main correction, kept positive and specific, then have the student practice (Correct answer)
- Give only general praise to avoid discouragement
Correct answer: Name one main correction, kept positive and specific, then have the student practice
Specific, positive feedback on one correction at a time helps the student actually make the change.
BSI Swimming Skills Instruction 4
Which stroke is generally considered the most restful because of its long glide?