Swimming: Steps to Success, 3E
Test Questions and Answers
The Sport of Swimming
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Which of the following is not a well-known swimming stroke?
a. reverse stroke
b. crawl stroke
c. butterfly stroke
d. sidestroke
What percentage of the general population is not buoyant?
a. 10 percent
b. 6 percent
c. 30 percent
d. 3 percent
Hand paddles and webbed gloves are used when learning
a. to swim the sidestroke
b. to scull
c. to use the dolphin kick
d. to dive from a springboard
TRUE OR FALSE
You can make your own deep-float leg float and float belt. True.
A float belt should keep your shoulders out of the water. False: A float belt should be large enough to keep you at chin level in the water.
Warming up and cooling down are unnecessary when swimming. False: Warm-up with breathing and stretching exercises to prepare for swimming and taper at the end of your swimming session to relax your body.
FILL IN THE BLANK
An empty ______________________ can be used to make a deep-float leg float. (half-gallon container)
Wearing a safety float belt adds __________________ and ____________________ to deep water drills. (confidence, safety)
______________ the power of water. (Respect)
SHORT ANSWER
Briefly describe the swimming safety rules. 1. Never swim alone. 2. Know the area. 3. Do not chew gum. 4. Do not overestimate endurance or ability. 5. Do not swim immediately after eating. 6. Use caution when diving. Do not dive into water that is less than 5 feet deep. 7. No running, pushing, or horseplay on the pool deck
EXTRA CREDIT
Research an aquatic activity or sport, such as scuba diving, synchronized swimming, lifeguarding, water polo, or underwater hockey. Write a short essay based on your research.
Step 1 Buoyancy and Back Float
MULTIPLE CHOICE
A balanced back-float position is
a. vertical
b. semivertical
c. horizontal
d. any of the above
A back float
a. allows you to rest and breathe in deep water
b. requires swim fins, a snorkel, and a nose clip
c. is not an important swimming skill
d. causes a great deal of fatigue
When learning the back float, how long do you hold each breath?
a. 2 seconds
b. 30 seconds
c. 5 seconds
d. 10 seconds
TRUE OR FALSE
You have to learn buoyancy. False: Buoyancy is an inherent characteristic of the human body and doesn’t have to be learned.
To prove buoyancy, take a deep breath and slower lower into the water. True.
During the back float, the ears remain out of the water. False: The ears are submerged in the water.
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The human body not only floats ___ the water, it floats ___ it. (on, in)
Someone who has neutral or negative buoyancy can wear a _______________________. (solid foam buoyancy belt)
When swimming, the portion of your head that remains above water must include your __________ so you can ______________. (mouth, breathe)
SHORT ANSWER
List the three elements that control buoyancy. 1. breath control; 2. body position; 3. relaxation.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your back float. Summarize the feedback.
Step 2 Basic Backstroke
MULTIPLE CHOICE
During the backstroke support kick, the foot motion resembles
a. pedaling a bicycle
b. the dolphin kick
c. walking
d. none of the above
The foot motion of the back crawl kick resembles
a. pedaling a bicycle
b. the dolphin kick
c. walking
d. none of the above
The basic backstroke arm pull
a. is powerful
b. conserves energy
c. can be used over long distances
d. all of the above
TRUE OR FALSE
During the basic backstroke arm pull, the hands are above the water. False: The hands pull through the water just beneath the surface.
In swimming, the kick is used for both support and propulsion. True.
When learning the back crawl kick, begin from a back-float position. True.
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During the basic backstroke arm pull, think of _________ your body ______ your hands. (pulling; past)
You can use your hands and legs to pull or push on the water as _______________ or as ____________________ as you wish. (gently; forcefully)
In some swimming strokes, the gain in _________________ may not be worth the expenditure of ______________ required for the kick. (propulsion; energy)
SHORT ANSWER
List the three functions of leg and foot motions in swimming. 1. support; 2. propulsion; 3. balance.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your basic backstroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 3 Prone Float and Crawl Kick
MULTIPLE CHOICE
In the crawl stroke kick, the legs move
a. back and forth
b. out and in
c. up and down
d. any of the above
The crawl stroke kick contributes what to the crawl stroke?
a. speed
b. power
c. usefulness
d. all of the above
What is the maximum length of a snorkel?
a. 10 inches
b. 8 inches
c. 14 inches
d. 16 inches
TRUE OR FALSE
Face masks can be fitted with prescription lenses. True.
To put on swim fins, pull on the strap or heel socket. False: Do not pull on the strap or heel socket when putting on fins.
While performing the crawl stroke kick, keep the knees nearly straight. True.
FILL IN THE BLANK
To keep a face mask from fogging up, place __________________________________ on the inside of the glass. (four drops of dishwashing liquid)
Whether facedown or faceup in the water, the human body maintains its _____________. (buoyancy)
If any water gets into the snorkel, clear it by ___________________________________. (puffing sharply into the snorkel)
SHORT ANSWER
List three factors that determine the power of the prone crawl kick. 1. Swimmer’s ankle flexibility; 2. Timing of the knee bend; 3. Speed of kick in relation to arm stroke.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your prone float and crawl stroke kick. Summarize the feedback.
Step 4 Crawl Stroke and Breathing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The classic American crawl stroke has _______ beats.
a. six
b. four
c. three
d. five
When performing the classic American crawl stroke, during which beats do you inhale?
a. 1 and 2
b. 2 and 5
c. 2 and 4
d. 4 and 5
During the crawl arm stroke, the arms move
a. in a V-shaped path
b. out and in
c. in an S-shaped path
d. back and forth
TRUE OR FALSE
Most swimmers have a favorite breathing side. True.
When learning to breathe for swimming, you may use a snorkel and nose clip. False: You may wear goggles, but do not use a snorkel or nose clip.
When taking a breath, the head should lift out of the water. False: The head turns to the side to allow an inhale, but it should not lift.
FILL IN THE BLANK
To maintain buoyancy, ______________ fully and ________________ only about half of each breath. (inhale; exhale)
In a(n) ______ turn, the head comes above the water. In a(n) __________ turn, the head remains underwater (open; closed)
The ____________________ is the most powerful part of the crawl stroke. (arm stroke)
SHORT ANSWER
Describe the motion of the crawl stroke open turn. When about 5 feet from the wall, pull through the end of the arm stroke, roll onto side, and glide. Place hand flat against wall, bend elbow, and tuck knees. Push against wall, raise head sideways to inhale, and bring feet to wall. Bring hand from wall over water and roll onto face. From an underwater glide position, push off wall with feet. Glide until speed slows, then begin stroke.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your crawl stroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 5 Breaststroke
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The main propulsive force of the breaststroke is the
a. arm pull
b. kick
c. breathing method
d. none of the above
When doing the breaststroke kick, the toes
a. point in
b. point out
c. point straight back
d. wiggle
How far from the wall should you be when you begin to prepare for the breaststroke turn?
a. 5 feet
b. 3 feet
c. 10 feet
d. 1 foot
TRUE OR FALSE
During the breaststroke arm pull, propulsion comes from the palms. True.
A smooth turn will decrease speed. False: A smooth breaststroke turn will increase speed.
The arm pull in the breaststroke is more for kick support than for propulsion. True.
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All breaststroke turns are ________ turns. (open)
It is easier to learn the breaststroke kick from an ______________ position. (inverted)
Keep the breaststroke arm pull ___________ and ____________. (short; sharp)
SHORT ANSWER
Explain the adjustments to the breaststroke that can be made for different purposes. Face can be kept out of the water for social swimming or when swimming in rough water. This type of swimming requires no coordination of the stroke or breathing, and the kick is deeper. For competition, the glide is shortened and the propulsive force is continuous.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your breaststroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 6 Sidestroke
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The power for the sidestroke is provided by the
a. scissors kick
b. dolphin kick
c. arm stroke
d. breathing method
What advantage does the overarm sidestroke have over the traditional sidestroke?
a. The overarm recovery reduces the negative motion of the sidestroke.
b. The overarm sidestroke is the best lifeguarding stroke.
c. The overarm sidestroke doesn’t use a kick.
d. The head stays above the water during the overarm sidestroke but doesn’t during the traditional sidestroke.
During the thrust of the scissors kick,
a. both feet are pointed
b. the feet are together
c. one foot is flexed, the other foot is pointed
d. the feet are netural
TRUE OR FALSE
A benefit of the sidestroke is that you can breathe whenever you wish while doing the stroke. True.
The scissors kick provides a shorter glide and rest than other kicks. False: The scissors kick provides a longer glide and rest.
In glide position, the upper arm stays along the side of the body. True.
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During the sidestroke, the arms move in __________________ directions. (opposite)
The scissors kick is performed from a ________ position. (side)
For good sidestroke coordination, time the movement of the _______________ with the __________________. (upper arm; leg kick)
SHORT ANSWER
What is unique about the sidestroke arm stroke? It is the only swimming stroke that allows the swimmer to carry something or someone with one arm while the other arm continues to pull.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your sidestroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 7 Back Crawl Stroke
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Competitive swimmers prefer the back crawl stroke because
a. it conserves energy
b. it uses energy efficiently
c. it is the fastest backstroke
d. a and c
e. b and c
During the ________ turn, the head remains underwater.
a. tumble
b. open
c. dolphin
d. pulling
The kick for the back crawl stroke is a _____-beat cycle.
a. three
b. five
c. six
d. eight
TRUE OR FALSE
An advantage of the back crawl stroke is that the nose and mouth are out of the water at all times. True.
The basic backstroke is a faster stroke than the back crawl stroke. False: The back crawl stroke is the faster stroke.
Roll your head with your shoulders when performing the back crawl stroke. False: Look directly at the ceiling and do not let your head roll when your shoulders roll..
FILL IN THE BLANK
The two turns of the backstroke are the ______________ turn and the ______________ turn. (open; tumble)
During the back crawl arm stroke, one arm begins to ___________ as the other arm _______________. (pull; recovers)
List the three types of backstrokes: _____________________, ____________________, and ___________________________. (basic backstroke, elementary backstroke, back crawl stroke)
SHORT ANSWER
How can a swimmer anticipate the nearness of the wall when swimming the back crawl stroke? The swimmer should note any backstroke turn flags, colored lane line floats, or other markers on the ceiling or along the sides of the pool that are about 15 feet from the end of the pool. Once the swimmer’s head passes the marker, he should complete the pull and take two more before starting the turn.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your back crawl stroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 8 Butterfly Stroke
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The butterfly stroke uses the __________ kick.
a. dolphin
b. scissors
c. flutter
d. pushing
Competitive swimming rules allow a swimmer to kick underwater for ______ meters after the butterfly stroke turn.
a. 15
b. 20
c. 10
d. 5
The three counts of the butterfly arm stroke cycle are
a. in, up, out
b. down, up, down
c. pull, recover, enter
d. around, over, through
TRUE OR FALSE
The butterfly stroke is one of the four internationally recognized competitive strokes. True.
The butterfly stroke is the fastest stroke. False: It is the second-fastest stroke behind the crawl stroke.
The butterfly arm stroke must be rushed. False: The butterfly arm stroke should be easy and relaxed.
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During the recovery of the butterfly stroke, both arms recover over the water __________________________. (simultaneously)
On a butterfly stroke, the arms complete a cycle in ___ counts. The legs complete a cycle in ___ counts. (3, 4)
The dolphin kick sometimes is called the ________________ kick. (fishtail)
SHORT ANSWER
How did the butterfly stroke get its name? The water dripping off the swimmer’s arms during the simultaneous overwater arm recovery of the stroke looks like a butterfly’s wings.
EXTRA CREDIT
Have a coach or experienced swimmer evaluate your butterfly stroke. Summarize the feedback.
Step 9 Trudgen Strokes
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The trudgen stroke uses
a. the butterfly arm stroke and dolphin kick
b. the crawl arm stroke and single scissors kick
c. the crawl arm stroke and the flutter kick
d. the side arm stroke and the scissors kick
The trudgen crawl stroke uses
a. two scissors kick and one flutter kick
b. one scissors kick and three flutter kicks
c. a single scissors kick
d. two flutter kicks and two scissors kicks
The double trudgen stroke uses
a. a double scissors kick
b. a single scissors kick
c. two flutter kicks and one scissors kick
d. the dolphin kick
TRUE OR FALSE
The double kick used in the double trudgen stroke allows the swimmer to keep his head above water. True.
The double trudgen stroke is faster than the crawl stroke. False: The crawl stroke is faster but doesn’t allow the swimmer to keep his head up while swimming.
The trudgen crawl stroke evolved from the double trudgen stroke because some swimmers had trouble executing the double scissors kick. True.
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The ________________________ stroke is the most powerful overhand stroke. (double trudgen stroke)
The trudgen strokes were developed in an attempt to eliminate _____________________. (water resistance)
The three trudgen strokes are the ____________________, the ____________________, and the __________________________. (trudgen stroke, double trudgen stroke, trudgen crawl stroke)
SHORT ANSWER
List two benefits of the double trudgen stroke besides increasing speed. It is a powerful stroke that allows a swimmer to reach a drowning victim quickly in a life-saving situation. Because the stroke allows the swimmer to keep his head above water, it is a good stroke to use in surf when waves may obstruct vision.