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HALLIWICK LONGITUDINAL ROTATION ROLLS

Enhance trunk control and orientation in water by practicing controlled rolling around the body’s long axis for children and adolescents with moderate motor ability.

Focus Core & Trunk
Environment Hydrotherapy or leisure pool with chest-deep and deep-water sections
Pool Depth Fully Suspended
Supervision Required
Equipment None

How to Perform

  1. Support the child in a near-horizontal position on the back with the head resting in the therapist’s hands and the body extended.
  2. Cue the child to turn the head to one side and gently assist the body to roll toward that side into a side-lying floating position.
  3. Continue the roll so the child moves smoothly from back to front float, supporting the head as needed to keep the mouth and nose near the surface.
  4. Reverse the sequence to roll back from front to side and then to back, pausing briefly at each position to allow orientation.
  5. Repeat several rolls in each direction, adjusting speed and support based on the child’s control and comfort.

Key Execution Cues

Remember: “Look where you want to roll,” keep the body long and relaxed, and allow the water to help turn the body rather than pushing hard.

Safety & Precautions

Important: Avoid fast rolls in children with vestibular sensitivity or strong fear of submersion; keep transitions slow and communicated.

Additional Safety Notes: Maintain clear verbal cues, keep the face close to the surface and avoid full, unexpected immersion, and stop if dizziness or nausea occurs.

Exercise Modifications

Make it Harder (Progressions)

Reduce manual support, increase smoothness and speed slightly, or encourage the child to initiate rolls more independently.

Make it Easier (Regressions)

Limit to half-rolls (back to side only), provide more trunk support, or practice in shallower water with more therapist control.

Audience

Child

Therapeutic Notes

Halliwick-based aquatic therapy for advanced trunk control and swimming readiness

Clinical Conditions

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

Modality

  • Individual
  • Group

Benefits

Improved rotational control, Better head–body coordination, Increased independence in changing positions in water, Enhanced core strength

Muscles Worked

  • core
  • back
  • hips
  • shoulders

Equipment Needed

No equipment required - just you and the water!

When to Use

  • Skill development

Exercise Tags

Halliwick rotation aquatic skills CP ASD Core & Trunk

Attribution

Source TypePDF
Original AuthorAnna Ogonowska-Slodownik et al.
ContributorAI Extraction Agent
PublicationAquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review
LicenseCC BY 4.0
Credit RequiredYes
Date Created2025-11-30
Last Modified2025-11-30
Original URLhttps://doi.org/10.3390/children11111404

External Source

TypePDF
URLhttps://doi.org/10.3390/children11111404
Additional InfoReflects longitudinal rotation elements from Halliwick concept interventions that improved aquatic skills and social interaction.