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Discussion: teaching swimming to new swimmers
Subject: teaching swimming to new swimmers
By: bob g.
Written on: 2006-06-07 10:46:37
Message: I am coaching new swimmers for our Summer swim team. I have never worked with small kids (8-9 year olds) I have only worked with high school and experienced swimmer who "know" the lingo.
Does anyone have some good word pictures to use with the wee ones to help them learn correct competative stroke technique? Breast stroke especially ( I suck at breaststroke) but any diagrams will help! thanks!

bob
Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers
By: Sarah W.
Written on: 2006-06-07 17:07:36
Message: I was a breast stroker. Here is what I can remember.
I teach it like this.
Palms together at your chest and "shoot them out" (starting position looks like in yoga)
back of hands together and make a heart shape like they are drawing one with their hands scooping the water in and pushing it under their chest
They will end at the beginning, with their palms together at their chest again and "shoot" it starts all over

Dunno if that helps any. Makes sense to me ...lol

Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers
By: bob g.
Written on: 2006-06-08 15:48:12
Message: Thanks Sarah! I will try out the heart shape.
I am still having difficulty getting them out of the habit of scissor kicking.
I was a LD swimmer, backstroke and fly (when absolutely needed)
Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers
By: Becky D.
Written on: 2006-06-08 16:33:55
Message: I taught swimming lessons to the wee ones for about 8 years.

For breast stroke kick: I have them get out of the water and practice with one leg on land doing the kick. "up, out, and around" are the words I use. I usually would place each kids legs where I wanted them (while in the water) a few times to have them get the feel of it, then let them try it. Using the words "whip it around" usually helps them get over the scissor kick. But most helpful was the on-land practice next to the pool so they could see and feel what the kick felt like. Having them get it right on land or while sitting on the pool's edge helped a lot once we got in the water.

Teaching kids to swim is so fun and rewarding! Enjoy!!

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Discussion: teaching swimming to new swimmers
Subject: teaching swimming to new swimmers By: bob g. Written on: 2006-06-07 10:46:37 Message: I am coaching new swimmers for our Summer swim team. I have never worked with small kids (8-9 year olds) I have only worked with high school and experienced swimmer who "know" the lingo. Does anyone have some good word pictures to use with the wee ones to help them learn correct competative stroke technique? Breast stroke especially ( I suck at breaststroke) but any diagrams will help! thanks! bob
Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers By: Sarah W. Written on: 2006-06-07 17:07:36 Message: I was a breast stroker. Here is what I can remember. I teach it like this. Palms together at your chest and "shoot them out" (starting position looks like in yoga) back of hands together and make a heart shape like they are drawing one with their hands scooping the water in and pushing it under their chest They will end at the beginning, with their palms together at their chest again and "shoot" it starts all over Dunno if that helps any. Makes sense to me ...lol
Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers By: bob g. Written on: 2006-06-08 15:48:12 Message: Thanks Sarah! I will try out the heart shape. I am still having difficulty getting them out of the habit of scissor kicking. I was a LD swimmer, backstroke and fly (when absolutely needed)
Subject: RE: teaching swimming to new swimmers By: Becky D. Written on: 2006-06-08 16:33:55 Message: I taught swimming lessons to the wee ones for about 8 years. For breast stroke kick: I have them get out of the water and practice with one leg on land doing the kick. "up, out, and around" are the words I use. I usually would place each kids legs where I wanted them (while in the water) a few times to have them get the feel of it, then let them try it. Using the words "whip it around" usually helps them get over the scissor kick. But most helpful was the on-land practice next to the pool so they could see and feel what the kick felt like. Having them get it right on land or while sitting on the pool's edge helped a lot once we got in the water. Teaching kids to swim is so fun and rewarding! Enjoy!!
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