“Child in the water – ideally 0 depth, or where they can sit, or stand, if not then in the “”saddle”” being held by parent. Parent, in the water next to child or holding child. Fill a bucket with water. Pour bucket over child’s head and smile and shout, say, yell “”BUCKETHEAD!!”” Modify this by …
“Child begins sitting on the edge of the pool. Parent in the water with a toy, holding child’s hand. Stand next to child so they have a clear view of pool, give the child a toy and encourage them to throw it. Return in front of child, count to 3, grasp their hands and scoop …
“Child in the water. Parent in the water holding child in front glide position (feet away from parent’s chest, child’s hand on the parent’s shoulders. If too young, then child should grasp parent neck). Parent will hold child’s legs just above the knee to control kicks. Sing: “”Motorboat, Motorboat go so slow, / Motorboat, …
“Child in the water on top of a kickboard. Parent in the water holding child’s arms on top of kickboard. Parent’s chest should be facing same direction as child’s face. Parent’s right arm should be over the child’s body and holding child’s right arm on the kickboard. Child’s feet will be behind the parent. Sing: …
“Child sitting on edge of pool. Parent in the water holding child’s feet. Sing: “”Motorboat, Motorboat go so slow, / Motorboat, Motorboat, go so fast, / Motorboat, Motorboat, STEP ON THE GAS!”” Move the child’s legs slowly during the “”go so slow”” Increase speed when you get to “”go so FAST.”” Move as …
“Child sitting on the edge of the pool. Parent in the water holding child’s hands. Sing: “”Crocodile, Crocodile on the wall, / Crocodile, Crocodile, in you fall!”” When parent gets to “”Fall”” smile and gently pull child into the water up to their comfortable depth (chin, lips, nose, whole face). Scoop the child and take …
Advanced swimmer game: Have each lane pick one “champion” that will participate. Do not tell the swimmers what stroke or activity they will be doing. After each lane has chosen a Champion, tell them what they will do. EXAMPLE: Champions must swim a 50 Freestyle with flip turn and correct streamline. If the champion passes …
Child and parent sit side by side with feet in the water, butt on the edge. Parent puts their arm on top of child’s hands between the child’s legs. The parent should always enter the water first. Parent swings into the pool keeping hand on their child’s hands. Once in the water, grasp child’s body …
You’ve just completed your swim practice and you’ve gone through the locker rooms. The old high school showers don’t work well, and the one that does was taken by someone else. You quickly get dressed in the locker room dungeon and run out the door. You’re blasted by cold when you step outside and you …
Butterfly continued with Water Drills Head Lead Body Undulation– Arms In the Saddles. Grow the Neck, keep the ribs down, the bellybutton in and up, and the shoulders away from the ears. Do not kick or use legs. Press the Lungs slightly down into the water and let the energy flow through the body. Head …
Butterfly continued with Land Exercises and Vertical Drills Land Exercises: Angel Drill-This is a drill to overstress the muscle tissue needed for Recovery in The Line. Lay prone with arms folded and the forehead on the hands. Press the chest and hips into the mat, and suck the bellybutton in. Extend arms, keeping the forehead …
Butterfly Butterfly is a Short Axis Stroke and the Power comes from Rhythm especially Rhythm in Front. We must first establish The Line by making our spine as long as possible. We then manipulate Posture, Line and Balance slightly above and slightly below the line, manipulating the extended spine by flexing. Caution must be …
Breaststroke drills continued Triple Kick – Conditioning Drill! 3 kicks per arm cycle. Hold Ttfe Line! Breathe in The Line! Breaststroke Kick on Back – Arms over head, keep hips at The Line and hip angle wide open, drop heels towards the bottom of the pool. Don’t let knees come out of the water (hips …
Breaststroke with Water Drills continued and Cobra Drills Head Lead Body Undulation – Arms In the Saddles. Grow the Neck, keep the ribs down, the bellybutton in and up, and the shoulders away from the ears. Do not kick or use legs. Press the Lungs slightly down into the water and let the energy flow …
Breaststroke continued with Land Exercises and Water Drills LEGS: When you Slam Hips forward, let the knees bend and the heels will follow along the surface of the water towards the hips. Keep the angle from the shoulders to the knees as open as possible. A common mistake is to try to lift the body …
Breaststroke Breaststroke is a Short Axis Stroke and the Power comes from Rhythm especially Rhythm in Front. We must first establish The Line by making our spine as long as possible. We then manipulate Posture, Line and Balance slightly above and slightly below the line, manipulating the extended spine by flexing. Caution must be taken …
Backstroke with Water Drills continued Arm Lead with “L” Drill – Positioned on one side, with one arm straight forward and the other arm above the water at the halfway point of the recovery phase. The armpit is the Balance point. Try to Grow the Neck, keep the ribs in, Press the. armpit into the …
Backstroke continued with Water Drills Head Lead Balance Drill on Back-Arms In the Saddles (elbows in and next to the ribs, hands hang down relaxed). Try to Grow the Neck, keep the ribs down, the bellybutton in and up, and the shoulders away from the ears. Press the Lungs slightly down into the water to …
Backstroke continued with Land Exercises Be more aware of the Core Area than the extremities. Core Area will determine bodyline, extremities are for Balance, Transfer of Energy, and Propulsion. Establish The Line before you focus on what the extremities are doing. Key points in establishing The Line include Growing the Neck, look towards the feet …
Backstroke Backstroke is a Long Axis Stroke and the Power comes from hip Rotation. We must first establish The Line by making our spine as long as possible. Unlike freestyle, the spine in backstroke is not perfectly straight, but slightly curved like a Frozen Banana. To achieve the Frozen Banana position Press the breastbone into …
Freestyle Continued Power comes from Rotation! Just like walking, we set an Anchor, then we Vault our body past the Anchor, Rotate on to the other side, then release the Anchor and repeat. This should make freestyle a light, Rhythmic stroke. The arms are an extension of The Line first, and tools for Balance second. …
Freestyle Freestyle is a Long Axis Stroke with emphasis on the Front Quadrant and the High Side. In a Long Axis Stroke the Power comes from Rotation. We must first establish The Line by making our spine as long and straight as possible. The longer and straighter we make our spine, the more Power we …
Land Exercises and Water Drills Land Exercises: Shrink Neck, Shrink Spine – Lay on back, knees up, feet on floor, arms at sides, back arched. Grow the Neck, extend head up through the monkey bump (protruding part of the back of the head), and Grow the Spine, flatten the back, pull bellybutton in towards spine, …
Balance and Natural Position There are three non-articulate (non-moving) major blocks in the body: The Head Block, The Rib Block, and the Pelvic Block… we do have a tiny bit of articulation in the Rib Block. Each block is separated by an articulate (movable) coil. The Neck Coil is located between the Head Block and …
Spine and Core We are land based creatures, with curves in our spines at the lower back and neck to absorb shock while walking, running, jumping, etc. To become successful water based creatures, we must try to eliminate our land based curves and establish proper swimming position called “The Line”. In swimming there are Long …
Head Lead Body Undulation Butterfly Drill arms in the saddle (at the hips) Grow the Neck Keep the ribs down the belly button in and up shoulders away from ears Do not kick or use legs Press the lungs slightly down into the water head does not go under Emphasize the undulation, not moving forward …
Freestyle Drill: Head Lead Balance with Rotation Hands at the side so the head goes first, balance flat on the surface of the water with a strong kick, and rotate along the spinal axis. To breathe, turn to the side with a rotation. Notice from the video how slowly the person moves or rotates. You …
Log Roll Streamline Log Roll is a great game for both advanced and beginning swimmers. It focuses on the single most important swimming position: Streamline. You can have your swimmers do this activity by waves, individually or repeatedly in a cycle. This game/activity is very well suited to variation, and feel free to adapt the …
One of my favorite sites had this to say: “Swimmer’s ear—that discomfort you get after swimming that includes echoing, itching, or clogging—is pretty common in the summer months as we’re all hitting up the pool. Thankfully, according to the Wall Street Journal, it’s not hard to take care of. Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation of …
Swim Game – Legs on Fire Have all your swimmers get kickboards. Get into one lane or an open large area. Get 1 bucket and fill with water. All but 1 swimmers starts an easy kick set. Waiting swimmer not participating is the Fire Truck. Coach/Instructor gives an item to one of the …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Here is a general lesson plan template that you can print out, laminate and use for your swim lesson instructors. Interested in our Premium Swimming Lesson Plans? Try out the first day of each level by joining our mailing list [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
If you are teaching swim lessons to a child you will inevitably get one that will not willingly go underwater. The most important thing for you, as a teacher, to know is to not be afraid of the child. Any sign of hesitation, apprehension, or fear will be apparent to your student and make them …
Game Name: Spider. Skills Developed: Breath control, confidence and swimming under water. This game is meant for private classes that do not have too many learners. There are two roles: one swimmer will act as the web while another acts as the spider. The thing that should act as a pre-requisite for this game is …
This is a very simple game you can play multiple ways. Hold 2 hula hoops underwater and have your child streamline through them. Hold them close enough to the wall so the swimmer can get through both by pushing off the wall. Give clear goals that are “difficult” but easy to accomplish. For example, the …
Swim Lesson Games and Songs for Parent Tot Class We recently did a comprehensive podcast on this topic: SIP 006: Songs and Games for Parent Tot classes Sing the Hokey Pokey: Hokey Pokey together as a group. Put all floaty toys in the middle of a circle. You put your hands in, you put your …
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”205″ img_size=”large” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”185″ img_size=”large” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Beginner Swim Lesson Template Use this basic template to get a general idea on what to do. Most swim lessons are focusing on Front crawl (Freestyle), or Back Crawl (Backstroke). While these two skills are primarily done on the surface, a third skill generally …
At swim lessons and a child starts crying. What do you do? As a parent there is a long list of things you should do to help your crying child and the swim program that you’re at. We are going to first go through what a parent should do to keep their child from crying …
This game is good for developmental swim teams, large swim lesson classes, or the more advanced swimmers. You will need: 1 noodle for every 2 participants Have swimmers form pairs or partners Give each pair 1 noodle Both partners are to be on TOP of the noodle in some fashion (some swimmers will straddle the …
This is a great game to play with both swim teams and swim lessons. Ideally your swimmers will be able to kick with a kickboard by themselves for more than 4 lengths. Start at one end of the pool with everyone Have swimmers form partners Give 1 little rubber duck to each group Swimmers …
First off, the idiotic NBC, Comcast, stranglehold on the olympic video is ridiculous and needs to be addressed. See the video here, but you had better have NOSCRIPT! installed or some other pop-up ad blocker. We’re going to look at the final 5 seconds of the race. Phelps is in lane 6, and …
A great backstroke drill for beginning and advanced swimmers. Double Arm Backstroke The first stage of this drill is double arm back with underwater recovery. Push off in streamline when at the surface, start with hands in streamline and pull them to your sides While pulling down, focus should be on the fingertips pointing to …
Butterfly drill “Around the World” This drill can be done with beginner swimmers or advanced swimmers. It is essentially a core strength building drill. Beginners: Begin from the wall Streamline and do 5 fly kicks on stomach go back to the wall streamline and do 5 fly kicks on left side go back …
Swim lesson plan for beginner swimmers. The best way to teach young swimmers is through repetition. Most children (literally almost ALL) are unable to physiologically complete most of the fine motor movements that swimming requires. Children are physically UNABLE to mimic, or do certain things because they haven’t reached that point in their growth yet. …
Swimming lessons idea game: Jumps This seems like a stupid thing to write about or talk about. Jumps. Really? something that simple? Yes. Jumping into the pool w/ assistance or without works on a number of different skills and can be a good gauge of trust and progress. Here are a few: Go …
Butterfly Drill: Pause, undulate, pause, undulate and stroke. This drill is actually two steps. 1) P+U+P+U/stroke GO SLOW! Do not rush this drill. the Pause (P) is floating on the surface balanced, arms out straight above the shoulders, head in line, looking down. Undulate (U) is a fly body motion. Start with the chest pressing …
Alligator walks are a great thing to do with novice and little swimmers. This game/activity is perfect for swimmers under 6 years old. This swimming lessons game is excellent! This works best in a zero-depth pool (beach like simulated pool). Lay on your belly and use your arms to hold your head above the water. …
This is the best swimming lessons game of all time. Buckethead’s success is directly proportional to the amount of enthusiasm the instructor puts into it. With action, fearlessness, and boldness this can be the most successful game of all time. Get a bucket/pail/bowl Fill it with water pour it over the participant’s head while shouting/singing/saying …
[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”185″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1883″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”205″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Those are some of the free lesson plans.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Premium Lesson Plans” tab_id=”1441874105744-0aeac9cb-3a3a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://swimminglessonsideas.wistia.com/medias/450ehw1bc8″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2572″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/store/”][vc_column_text]Or you can get our premium lesson plans, designed to be effective and fun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section …
This swimming lessons game works best in a zero-depth pool; a pool that simulates a beach. There are a number of swimming skills that it works on, and many more depending on how creative your instructors or you are. Treasure Hunt: Get a kickboard. This will be your “boat.” Every child in your class is …
This drill is excellent for swimming lessons, swim teams, adult lessons, or child swim lessons. It focuses on long over the water hand entry, early catch, body posture and body balance. Updated: 3/24/17 Video of position 11 Freestyle Drill: Position 11 Start from streamline Hands should separate from streamline to directly above the shoulders (the …
The best swimming lessons drills, or swim team drills are ones that are easily repeatable, worthwhile, and require a few simple parts. The more complicated it gets, the less likely they’ll be useful. Breaststroke Drill: Breaststroke Arms with Freestyle Kick After streamline, swimmer does freestyle kick. After 5 kicks in streamline or “superman” swimmer does …
THE FOLLOWING FULL DAY LESSON PLAN IS FOUND HERE: https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/blog/parent-tot/ Round 1: -Sit child on the side. -Splash feet or play with toys. Use the floating smiley faces. -Press smile underwater with 1 foot, then the other. -Press smile under with both feet.– Sing Ring around the Rosey, and at the end say “…all jump …
Freestyle is one of the four competitive strokes in USA Swimming. We introduce it to all of our beginning swimmers as a front glide, or a streamline. After learning the basics, and knowing how to swim the stroke generally well, we use this drill: Freestyle, 3 strokes, then 10 kicks on your side. Push off …
A great game to play in a diving well or in the deep end of the pool. This Swimming lessons game, Pigeon, can be modified to work on any number of skills! Children line up along the outside edge of the pool, standing. (they can dive in or not as you choose) The …
Use the following generic template to write your own swimming lessons plans. Most lessons are 30 minutes, and you can break up your lessons into three 10 minute blocks. I generally focus on one skill like Freestyle in a 10 minute block, working on glides, streamlines, kicking and arms. After 10 minutes of that do …
You can see our updated guide to teaching adults and teens here: [button text=”Adult and Teen Guide” url=”https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/2016/02/19/new-swim-instructor-guide-teach-adults-teens/” background_color=”#2dcb73″ text_color=”#ffffff” style=”lt_flat” size=”default” icon=”” open_new_window=”true” rounded=”true”] To teach Adults how to swim requires first assessing what their ability level is. Follow these steps: Do they go underwaterIf yes then continue, otherwise focus on this first. Float: …
Hokey Pokey For Parent Tot Swimming Lessons The best thing for infant swimmers is routine. Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. If you play the Hokey Pokey in your class, I suggest you do it at the end of your class session. It can be time consuming, and get monotonous and droll. Focus on a few key …
Google is your friend. That is the real key to the whole process, though Bing or any other search engine will do. Before typing in your location and “swim lessons” I recommend you go to your local park district first. Find your local park district here Park districts often have quality swimming pools of varying …
In swimming lessons and triathlon training the “Chicken Wings” is one of the classic drills exercised. The challenge of this exercise is swimming without the support of your hands and – even more difficult – with a reduced arm length; your arms are bend to short “Chicken Wings”. Shoulders and elbows have to come high …
Are you a swim teacher looking for some new games to teach your kids? Their are many fun games to lessons to teach kids, but this game is sure to get yours wanting more. The game is called Sharks and Minnows and this how you play: This game is for advanced swimmers, or swimmers who …
A great swim lesson skill for smaller and younger swimmers is called Monkey Walks. To teach Monkey walks in a learn to swim class follow these steps: The swimmer walks along the side of the pool using their hands and feet to move along the edge. I’ve included a video demonstrating the action. This is …
Being able and comfortable going underwater is one of the key skills for swimming. One way to acquire this skill is by playing a retrieval game. The rules are simple: throw something that will sink (dive rings or sticks are perfect) into the water and ask the child to retrieve them. How to play: *Throw …
Diving is one of the hardest swim skills to teach, especially diving from a block. This game, simply named “Diving in,” will help to teach proper diving technique. Depending on the age of the swimmer, they can either dive from the block or from the edge of the pool. 1) Have all of your swimmers …
Swimming can be described as the ability for one to move harmoniously through the water. Swimming is a very wonderful thing especially to infants and children who are in the process of growing. It is good for their growth, health and fitness. However, it is wise for every parent and swimming teacher to take caution …
Bake a Cake -Get a hoola hoop, or a circular object and make that your “cake” -Have swimmers circle around the hoola hoop and hold the sides. -Take turns asking each swimmer what they would like in their cake. Exp: “Susie, what would you like in your cake?” “CHOCOLATE!” “Ok, lets put some chocolate in …