Roller
Learning to roll.
Practise the movement and say how it feels.
Open the roller guide →Save the printable guide ↓Back to the boathouse
60 minutes in the pool / A guide for each person
A rolling session, together.
I'd use the same exercises for everyone, with a different set of instructions for each person's job. The roller practises, the helper gives agreed assistance and the instructor learns to teach with a qualified coach supervising.
Working session plan. A qualified coach needs to check the exercises, assistance and illustrations for the people taking part. The instructor learning to teach works under their supervision.
Choose the part
you are doing.
Each guide follows the same clock and exercises, so you can share the relevant page before arriving at the pool.
Helper
Helping someone roll.
Give agreed assistance and report what you see.
Open the helper guide →Save the printable guide ↓
Instructor
Learning to teach the roll.
Practise teaching with a qualified coach supervising.
Open the instructor guide →Save the printable guide ↓Agree the session first.
The times below are a way to organise the hour. Stay with an earlier exercise if it is helping, and leave the later phases for another day if needed.
Watch EJ's demonstration before the session if possible. At the pool, the qualified coach confirms the working area, equipment, exit readiness and rescue arrangements, then checks the helper's assistance. The trainee instructor teaches only within the scope agreed with that coach.
Agree a stop/help signal and permission for contact. Stop for pain, distress or loss of confidence. No solo underwater practice, breath-hold challenges or unexpected capsizes. Helpers must be shown their assistance in person.
The shared hour
Work through
what helps.
Move on when the roller is comfortable and the coach agrees. Completing every stage is not the aim of the hour.
- 010 to 8 minAgree how you will work together.
- 028 to 15 minFind the movement before adding the paddle.
- 0315 to 27 minTurn the boat with support.
- 0427 to 39 minAdd the paddle without changing the job.
- 0539 to 50 minLearn where the paddle starts.
- 0650 to 55 minFind the setup from somewhere else.
- 0755 to 60 minTalk through what changed.
0 to 8 min
Agree how you will work together.
Make sure the roller, helper and instructor understand the exercise and how to stop.
Roller
Tell the instructor what you have tried before and what you want from today.
Full instructions →Helper
Watch the coach demonstrate your role. Ask where to stand, what to support and what to do if the attempt stops.
Full instructions →Instructor
Agree with your supervising coach what you will teach and when they will step in.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The qualified coach confirms readiness, fit, exit arrangements and the helper briefing.
If it is not there yet
Use the hour for water confidence and supported preparation if capsize readiness is not established.
8 to 15 min
Find the movement before adding the paddle.
Use the earlier mat demonstration to explore body movement, then check the actual boat.
Roller
Watch the mat example and try the comfortable variation your instructor demonstrates.
Full instructions →Helper
Let the roller move themselves on the mat. Do not pull their arms or shoulders into place.
Full instructions →Instructor
Choose one short mat exercise that helps this learner understand the movement. Check your interpretation of the original recording with your mentor.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The roller is comfortable and the coach is satisfied with the boat fit and selected exercise.
If it is not there yet
Stay with the mat or adjust the preparation with the coach. Do not spend the rest of the hour compensating for poor fit.
15 to 27 min
Turn the boat with support.
EJ phase 1: practise rotating the boat while the upper body has support.
Roller
Watch the instructor demonstrate the support and finish they have chosen for you. Start with a small, comfortable amount of lean.
Full instructions →Helper
Give the support exactly as shown by the coach and keep it predictable. Do not move it away to test the roller.
Full instructions →Instructor
Demonstrate a small supported rotation, showing the difference between turning the boat and pushing the body upright. EJ uses a low, back-leaning finish; check whether that finish suits this learner.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The roller can repeat a comfortable supported rotation with less pushing, and the coach agrees to add the paddle.
If it is not there yet
Keep the same support and reduce the lean. The paddle can wait for another session.
27 to 39 min
Add the paddle without changing the job.
EJ phase 2: keep the boat movement while introducing paddle support. A prepared roll is an optional next step.
Roller
Have the instructor place and demonstrate the paddle support. Repeat the boat movement you used in the previous exercise.
Full instructions →Helper
Ask the coach to show whether you are supporting the paddle, the boat or neither in this attempt. Do not improvise a grip.
Full instructions →Instructor
Show how the paddle support is added while the boat rotation stays familiar. Use the video to check the shaft position and the hand that can pin it against the boat.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The supported movement stays comfortable with the paddle; the qualified coach decides whether support can be reduced.
If it is not there yet
Restore support and return to the previous movement. A first roll is optional today.
39 to 50 min
Learn where the paddle starts.
EJ phase 3: find the setup, then move into the rolling position.
Roller
Practise while upright first. Ask the instructor to show the starting position on your chosen side and how the blade should face.
Full instructions →Helper
Let the roller find the setup themselves while upright. Wait for the instructor rather than moving their hands into place.
Full instructions →Instructor
Demonstrate setup and transition upright, from a viewpoint the roller can follow. Check the blade orientation with your mentor, particularly if you change sides.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The roller can find the setup and transition upright, and the coach approves any water progression.
If it is not there yet
Continue upright setup practice or return to supported rotation. Do not add submersion just to finish the plan.
50 to 55 min / Optional extension
Find the setup from somewhere else.
EJ phase 4: return to the familiar setup from a different starting position. Treat this as an extension.
Roller
Start upright with the paddle in a different comfortable position, then return to the setup you know.
Full instructions →Helper
Keep the exercise predictable and follow the same support plan. Do not tip the roller unexpectedly.
Full instructions →Instructor
If earlier work is not settled, use these minutes to repeat the part that helped. Phase 4 is not compulsory.
Full instructions →Before moving on
The roller can recover the familiar setup comfortably and describe what they are doing.
If it is not there yet
Finish with a comfortable earlier exercise and leave varied entries for another session.
55 to 60 min
Talk through what changed.
Leave with a clear next practice task and a useful teaching reflection.
Instructor
Ask the roller what they noticed before giving your assessment. Use the helper's observation to compare with yours.
Full instructions →Before moving on
Each person can name what they learned and the next task.
If it is not there yet
If views differ, record the uncertainty and discuss it with the supervising coach.
Take your guide
to the pool.
Share each person's guide in advance, then use the same stage names when you are working together.
Keep the next task specific.
Agree what the roller should revisit, what help they need and what the instructor will work on with their supervising coach. A pool roll on one occasion does not establish river readiness.
Original land recordings, captions and review notes →Sources and what still needs checking
EJ's Rolling and Bracing 4 Phases of the Roll, Eric Jackson. The four water phases follow this demonstration. The 60-minute schedule, role briefings and teaching reflections are our adaptation. The source's automatic captions contain errors; use the demonstrations and qualified coaching judgement for exact technique.
The earlier land footage remains available in the preparation guide. The mat exercise is not presented as proof of EJ's complete technique. AI-assisted illustrations show the session roles and preparation, not exact rescue grips, shoulder angles or a guarantee of a suitable position.
A qualified coach still needs to review the progression, physical assistance and suitability for the intended learners. Pool rules and the session risk assessment govern equipment, depth, space and rescue cover. Paddle UK pool guidance provides background; it is not approval of this plan.