Which of the following statements about sculling in swimming is correct?

Correct — D. Sculling is a back-and-forth movement of the hands under water, traced like a figure of eight, with relaxed elbows and little shoulder movement.

Each sweep presses on the water, and that pressure keeps the swimmer afloat, steady and in position. Sculling maintains balance by moving the hands under water: option (d).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Sculling is used only by beginners to prevent sinking. — The word only sinks it. Sculling is not a beginner's crutch: it is the core support skill of artistic swimming, and coaches use sculling drills to sharpen experienced swimmers' feel for the water.
• (b)
  During sculling, the hands remain above the water surface. — Sculling works by pressing against water, so the hands must be under the surface. Hands held above the water have nothing to push on and give no support.
• (c)
  In forward sculling, the arms stay straight and positioned in front. — Sculling with the arms in front keeps the elbows slightly bent while the hands sweep in a figure of eight. Straight arms held still in front describe no scull.

In sculling the hands work like small blades, sweeping out and in with the palm angled so the water presses against it. The movement comes from the hands and forearms, not the shoulders.

Depending on the angle, sculling holds a swimmer steady, keeps them afloat or moves them gently. Coaches use it to build feel for the water, the sense of where the hand catches pressure in a stroke.

Key facts

• Sculling: a figure-of-eight hand movement under water, with relaxed elbows and minimal shoulder movement.
• Sculling supports the body by pressing the palms against the water, so hands held above the surface give no support.
• Swim coaches use sculling drills to develop feel for the water in the catch and pull.

Common traps

• Missing the absolute word only in option (a). Sculling drills are standard for experienced swimmers too.
• Accepting (c) because the arms do start in front. The flaw is straight arms held still.

No directly related past PYQ was found.