| Head Position | Totally submerged in water Looking only in one particular direction (either forward or sideward) |
One side of the head rests in water Occasionally look back to check victim Occasionaly look forward to check surrounding |
| Body Position | Arched body with hips swaying to one side s | Stretch body on the side – relaxed and streamlined |
| Arm Action | Top hand and/or bottom hand starts to pull too soon Straight arm recovery for top hand No top and/or bottom hands’ actions Top hand slides close to body to about the chin Moving backwards |
Bend and open phrase Bottom hand pulls backwards with elbows 90° bent till hand reaches shoulder Top hand slides close to body to about the chin Kick Phrase Bottom hand passed the chin; close elbows to body’s side and quickly push forward as legs kick Top hand with elbows bent at 90° pushes strongly through the thighs Glide Phrase Bottom hand fully extends beyond the head Top hand fully extends at the thigh; just below water surface |
| Leg Action | Feet are too stiff Incorrect flexing of ankles during the bend phrase Moving backwards Starting to kick too late or too early |
Scissors kick – bend, open, kick and glide Bend at the hips and knees Open legs apart with top leg moving forward; dorsi-flexed (toes towards shin) front foot ankle and plantar flexed (pointed toes) back foot ankle Kick with the water pressure felt at the sole of the front foot and upper surface of the back foot Glide by keeping legs closed together and parallel to the body with toes pointed |
| Breathing | Infrequent timing for breathing
Water gets in mouth |
Through only the mouth during the pull motion of the bottom arm Hum or blow bubbles while face in water |
| Timing | No coordinated movements | Bend-open-kick-glide |
* For rescue sidestrokes, the more powerful leg action should be furthest away from victim, also, the head may be held above water to watch and reassure victim