BSI Swimming Skills Instruction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the back crawl, where should the swimmer's head be?
- Still, with ears in the water and eyes looking up or slightly back (Correct answer)
- Lifted to look at the feet
- Tucked chin to chest
- Turning side to side with each stroke
Correct answer: Still, with ears in the water and eyes looking up or slightly back
A steady head with the ears submerged keeps the hips up and the body aligned.
Question 2: Which flotation device is most appropriate for supporting a beginner during skill practice in US swim lessons?
- An inner tube
- A properly fitted US Coast Guard-approved life jacket (Correct answer)
- Pool noodles worn around the neck
- Inflatable arm floaties
Correct answer: A properly fitted US Coast Guard-approved life jacket
US Coast Guard-approved life jackets are the recommended support, while inflatable toys aren't safety devices.
Question 3: In the butterfly, how do the arms recover?
- Together under the water toward the chin
- Alternately under the water
- One arm at a time with a high elbow
- Together over the water, swinging forward low and wide (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Together over the water, swinging forward low and wide
Butterfly arms recover at the same time over the water with a low, wide swing.
Question 4: A student doing the elementary backstroke brings their knees up toward their chest during the recovery. What is the correction?
- Add a flutter kick
- Kick faster
- Drop the heels down and keep the knees near the surface (Correct answer)
- Hold the knees bent through the glide
Correct answer: Drop the heels down and keep the knees near the surface
Dropping the heels while keeping the knees low avoids drag and sets up an effective whip kick.
Question 5: Which skill progression is most appropriate for teaching a deep-water entry to a beginner?
- Shallow dive in 3 feet of water
- Sitting entry, then a kneeling dive, then a standing dive (Correct answer)
- Standing dive, then a sitting entry
- Headfirst dive, then a jump
Correct answer: Sitting entry, then a kneeling dive, then a standing dive
Diving is taught from low to high starting positions, and only in water deep enough for safe diving.
Question 6: What is the main purpose of a sculling skill?
- Speeding up sprint swimming
- Making propulsion and support with figure-eight hand movements (Correct answer)
- Practicing the scissor kick
- Practicing underwater turns
Correct answer: Making propulsion and support with figure-eight hand movements
Sculling uses figure-eight hand movements to support or move the body, which builds feel for the water.
Question 7: A student is afraid to put their face in the water. What should the instructor try first?
- Gently push the student's head under
- Use gradual activities such as blowing bubbles and wetting the chin, then the mouth, then the face (Correct answer)
- Skip that student's breathing skills entirely
- Have the student watch from the deck for the whole lesson
Correct answer: Use gradual activities such as blowing bubbles and wetting the chin, then the mouth, then the face
Small, gradual steps build comfort and trust without forcing the student.
BSI Swimming Skills Instruction 5
During the back crawl, where should the swimmer's head be?