The Use of Sculling Drills in Learning to Swim

Sculling is the way a swimmer moves through the water by using only the hands and forearms. Sculling can be used to stay in position while floating on the back or treading water. Advanced learners and competitive swimmers develop a feel for the water through sculling drills.

The learner must learn that the sculling movement is not from the hands but from the elbow and constant pressure with continuous hand movements, and the hands should be flat, not cupped.

The sculling hand drill can be practiced on land. Sculling consists of an outward sweep and an inward sweep. The hands are angled at 45 degrees, with the thumbs down on the outward sweep, and thumbs up on the inward sweep. Check for the following: the palms are never visible; the angle of pitch is correct; the hands are flat; fingers are together; the movement is smooth, firm, and continuous.

Stationary Scull is first attempted "standing" in the water (deep enough not to touch). The hands and arms are down by the side drawing figure eights. Feeling the pressure with the elbow to fingertips moving as one, without bending the wrists. The next step, after mastery of course, is to have the swimmer lying on their back, with the legs upright and relaxed (use a pullbuoy/floatation). While in this position the swimmer gently sculls with the thumbs down on the outward sweep and up on the inward sweep. Check to see that the arm movement is smooth and continuous.

The Head-First Scull has a similar motion to the stationary scull, the elbow to fingertips move as one. The swimmer lies on the back, using the pullbuoy to help keep the lower body afloat, elbows close to the waist, fingertips outwards, and push towards the toes. Then the swimmer relaxes the hands, slides them back to the starting position and repeats the arm movement. Only push opposite to the direction of travel and the body will move head first. No kicking should be done in any sculling drill, so that the scull movement can be isolated.

The Feet-First Scull starts by having the swimmer lie on their back with the hands and body beside the body (again a pullbuoy is recommended). With the palms facing outwards from the legs, bend the elbows and push out, then slide the hands back through the water and begin again. The movements should be slow, relaxed, and in a circular direction. Only push opposite to the direction of travel, and the body will move in the feet-first direction.

Sculling is a fantastic method for warming up and cooling down a swimming lesson or practice. Enjoy sculling with all of your swimmers!