WSI - Water Safety Instructor Stroke Mechanics and Analysis Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Water Safety Instructor observes a swimmer whose head lifts excessively high during every breath in the front crawl, causing their hips to drop. Which of the following is the most effective cue to correct this error?
- "Kick harder to keep your hips up."
- "Keep one eye and one ear in the water when you breathe." (Correct answer)
- "Take a bigger breath so you don't have to lift your head as high."
- "Pull your arm through the water faster."
Correct answer: "Keep one eye and one ear in the water when you breathe."
Lifting the head to breathe causes the hips and legs to sink, creating significant drag. The correct technique involves rotating the head to the side with the body, keeping the head in line with the spine. The cue "Keep one eye and one ear in the water" encourages this rotation rather than an inefficient lifting motion.
Question 2: During a breaststroke, the power phase of the kick should ideally be timed to occur:
- simultaneously with the arm insweep.
- during the glide phase after the arms have recovered.
- immediately after the hands begin to press outward in the pull.
- as the arms are extending forward into the glide. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: as the arms are extending forward into the glide.
The correct sequence for the breaststroke is often described as "Pull, Breathe, Kick, Glide." The propulsive force from the whip kick occurs as the arms are recovering and extending forward, driving the body into the streamlined glide phase.
Question 3: Which of the following describes a common mechanical error in the back crawl that reduces propulsion?
- The body rolls from side to side with each arm stroke.
- The kick originates from the hips with a relaxed ankle.
- The arm enters the water with the pinky finger first.
- The elbow bends and drops deep in the water during the pull. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The elbow bends and drops deep in the water during the pull.
In the back crawl, dropping the elbow during the pull (power phase) reduces the effective surface area of the hand and forearm pushing against the water. A correct pull maintains a high elbow position, allowing the swimmer to "catch" more water and generate greater force.
Question 4: You are analyzing a swimmer's butterfly stroke. You notice their timing is off, and they appear to be struggling to get their arms out of the water for the recovery. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
- The swimmer is kicking too hard.
- The swimmer's head is lifting too late for the breath.
- The swimmer is performing only one kick per arm cycle. (Correct answer)
- The swimmer is not pushing down and back with their hands during the pull.
Correct answer: The swimmer is performing only one kick per arm cycle.
The butterfly stroke requires two kicks for each arm cycle. The first kick occurs as the hands enter the water, and the second, more propulsive kick occurs during the finish of the arm pull. This second kick provides the lift needed to help the upper body and arms clear the water for recovery. A single kick per cycle removes this critical lifting force, making recovery difficult.
Question 5: A key component of an efficient freestyle (front crawl) is body roll. What is the primary purpose of this action?
- To allow the legs to perform a whip kick.
- To keep the head completely submerged at all times.
- To facilitate a more powerful pull and an easier arm recovery. (Correct answer)
- To increase the number of kicks per arm cycle.
Correct answer: To facilitate a more powerful pull and an easier arm recovery.
Body roll, originating from the hips and core, is crucial for an efficient freestyle. It allows the swimmer to engage larger back and core muscles during the underwater pull, increasing power. It also helps the recovering arm to clear the water more easily and facilitates a lower-profile breath.
Question 6: When analyzing the arm action of the elementary backstroke, what is the correct sequence of movements?
- Arms press straight back towards the feet, then recover underwater to the shoulders.
- Arms move from the sides to a "T" position, then recover over the water.
- Arms bend, bringing hands to the shoulders, then extend to the side before pressing down to the hips. (Correct answer)
- Arms recover straight over the head and pull down through the water.
Correct answer: Arms bend, bringing hands to the shoulders, then extend to the side before pressing down to the hips.
The elementary backstroke arm motion is a resting stroke with a distinct sequence. The hands are brought up the sides of the body to the armpits/shoulders (like a chicken), extended out to the sides (like an airplane), and then pressed down towards the feet to provide propulsion. This is often taught with cues like "Chicken, Airplane, Soldier" or "Tickle, T, Touch".
WSI - Water Safety Instructor Stroke Mechanics and Analysis Questions and Answers
A Water Safety Instructor observes a swimmer whose head lifts excessively high during every breath in the front crawl, causing their hips to drop.
Which of the following is the most effective cue to correct this error?