Grade 6 Physical And Health Education : Swimming – Tuck Dive From An Elevated Position Notes

Swimming — Tuck Dive From An Elevated Position

Subject: Physical and Health Education (Kenya) • Age: 11 years

Pool with clear water and suitable depth for diving (check with your teacher/lifeguard).
Low platform or bench (small height only), kickboards for drills, cones for marking start.
Swimwear and a towel. A lifeguard or teacher must be present.

Always practise only when a teacher or lifeguard is watching.
Do not dive into shallow or unknown water. If unsure, go feet-first.
No running on the pool deck. Walk to the edge carefully.
Only use a low, stable elevated position — no high platforms for this age unless trained.
Check for other swimmers and clear the landing area before diving.

Follow these stages. Move to the next step only when your teacher says you are ready.

Kneeling tuck on poolside
- Kneel at the pool edge, toes behind the edge. Arms forward, chin tucked to chest. - Push gently, tuck knees to chest, hands reach toward toes and enter the water head-first but rounded (tuck shape).
Standing tuck on poolside
- Stand with feet shoulder-width, arms up and forward. Bend knees slightly, then jump forward, tuck knees to chest and enter head-first in a rounded shape.
Tuck dive from a low elevated position
- Step onto a low platform or bench (teacher checks height). - Stand with toes near the edge, eyes on the water. Arms reach forward, body tall. - Bend knees, swing arms forward and down, push off with both feet, bring knees to chest (tuck) and enter the water head-first, rounded. - Streamline the body after entry and swim away from the surface.

Arm swing practise on land (reach and point fingers).
Push-off from side: push strong with feet and glide in streamline before resurfacing.
Tuck floats in shallow water (teacher supports) to feel the rounded position.
Short runs of repeats under supervision to build confidence.

Use a shallow-to-deeper progression and keep group sizes small for safety.
At coastal or open-water sites (e.g., Mombasa beaches), do not practise dives—use calm guarded pools only.
Encourage pupils to wear swim caps/goggles if available and to listen to local lifeguard instructions (whistle or voice commands).
Relate the skill to the PHE syllabus by including warm-up, skill practice, and evaluation.

Teacher observes: correct tuck shape on entry (yes / almost / needs work).
Entry is safe and controlled (no belly-flops) (yes / almost / needs work).
Swimmer moves away quickly after entry and shows control (yes / almost / needs work).

Tuck, entry, streamline, push-off, elevated position, supervision, lifeguard.

Remember: Never dive alone. Always ask the teacher or lifeguard if the depth and place are safe. If you are not sure, go feet-first.

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