Swimming: Sinkers Can Raise Their Arms for a Flatter Float

Pat Aitken

Swimmers can Assume a More 
Horizontal Position by Lifting 
Their Arms Over Their Head
Swimmers can Assume a More Horizontal Position by Lifting Their Arms Over Their Head

Students with long legs and a high center of gravity may have trouble staying horizontal when they float. It can be discouraging for them to watch their classmates bob in the water like corks, while they're “floating” in a semi-upright position.

Swimmers With Long Legs and a High Center of Gravity Often Have Trouble Floating in a Horizontal Position
Swimmers With Long Legs and a High Center of Gravity Often Have Trouble Floating in a Horizontal Position

How to Flatten their Float
A simple way to “flatten the float” is to have them lift their arms over their head.  This shifts their center of gravity and lifts the feet upwards, like shifting the pivot point on a teeter totter.

Of course all swimmers can help themselves stay buoyant by kicking their feet. They can also hold air in their lungs as long as possible by using explosive rather than trickle breathing (see “Swimming” PE Digest, Summer'97).

References
1. Dennis Kidd, “Mechanical principles in the teaching of swimming: Archimedes, Newton and Neptune rule OK?” British
Journal of Physical Education, November/December, 1983.
2. Anselm Monrose, Learn to Swim: in 10 easy lessons, Kindle Edition, Amazon Digital Services, Inc., 2013.



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