What makes a swing go higher — a big push, or the right timing?

Sometimes the gentlest little taps send a swing sky-high. Other times a really hard shove barely moves it at all. So what actually decides how high it goes — how HARD you push, or WHEN you push? Let's go push some swings and find out.

1Two things to notice about a swing

A swing has its own beat — and a push can help or fight it

You only need two ideas. Watch each one:

A swing keeps its own beat

Let a swing go and it swings back and forth at the same steady rhythm — tick, tock, tick, tock. Big swing or small swing, it keeps the very same beat. That beat is the swing's own.

A push can help or fight

Push the way the swing is already going and you give it energy. Push against it, while it's coming back at you, and you steal energy away. Same push — opposite results.

2Two ways to push, same strength

The help push vs the fight push

Both pushers shove exactly as hard. The only difference is when they let go:

On the beat

The help push

You push forward right as the swing starts moving forward — going with it. The push adds to the motion.

Off the beat

The fight push

You push forward while the swing is coming back at you — meeting it head-on. The push cancels the motion.

3Your turn — push the swing yourself

Tap to push. Can you make it go high?

Tap Push to give the swing one little shove. Every tap is the same gentle strength. Watch the glowing beat-marker at the bottom — see if you can feel when a push helps and when it fights.

How high: 0%

Tap Push a few times and watch what happens…

4Now race two swings — big shove vs little in-time taps

A big strong shove vs little in-time taps. Who wins? 🏁

The left swing gets big, strong shoves — but at the wrong moments, way off the beat. The right swing gets little gentle taps, and the slider sets how well they line up with the beat. Guess first — then start the race.

Guess before you race

What makes a swing go higher — how HARD you push, or WHEN you push? One kid gives one big, strong shove but at random moments. The other gives little gentle taps, but each one in time with the swing. Which swing ends up higher?