November 2025 Web App Updates
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Newsletter
Harnessing Deliberate Practice: How to Maximize Focus in Short Swim Bursts
The Superpower of Intentional Swimming As coaches, our overall goal is excellence. We aim for perfection in every stroke, hoping to create a culture where great swimming is the standard, not the exception. There is a famous adage often attributed to Aristotle that guides our philosophy here: “Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” …
Advanced Lesson: Week 4
This lesson was created using the Premium Lesson Plan Builder. https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/premium-lesson-plan-builder/ 2 x 25 Position 11 Catch-up Drill With FINS. With Kick board. Holding the bottom of the kick board in position 11, swim front crawl 25 yards. Breath on any stroke. 1 arm moves at a time. The other hand remains in position 11 …
Breaststroke: Arms and Kick Review
I saw this in a weekly update from Google on “swimming lessons.” It was a great reminder that how we teach Breaststroke aligns completely with an excellent breaststroke swim! Check out this video, and then I’m going to go through a few highlights on the Teaching Swimming: Fun and Effective Instruction workbook and how it …
Benefits: Baseline Expectations
If you work with a team of swimming instructors you know how unique everyone is. Swim instructors are as territorial and nuanced as swimming coaches. When we’re the kings and queens of our domain its hard to have someone else tell us what to do, or worse: tell us we’re doing something wrong. Recently one …
Advanced Lesson Struggles – When levels meet confusion
I’ve been working with our advanced swim lessons on weekday evenings because we’re in the heart of high school Fall sports season and I have new staff that needs to be trained and a shortage of returning people. I’m sure in September and October this is a familiar refrain that you struggle with too. Here …
September 2025: Feedback changes lives
Beyond the safety of swimmers the absolutely most crucial aspect of teaching swimming is the instructor’s ability to give feedback. Feedback is using your words to identify actions and provide an alternative or improved action for future attempts. That was a dense sentence. There are so many ways that you can give feedback and the …
Newsletter: Build your own lesson plans!
Get ready to take your lesson planning to a whole new level! I’ve just rolled out a massive update to the Lesson Plan Builder based on your feedback, and I’m thrilled to introduce a powerful new set of premium features, exclusively for All Access subscribers. First, for everyone, the standard Lesson Plan Builder is now …
Newsletter: One thing to make your large-scale swim lessons better
TLDR: Assign instructors to frozen schedules Why didn’t we do this in years past? It was a legacy feature from a previous admin that staff would be assigned 1-2 days a week to lessons so we would have enough and not burn out people that didn’t like teaching (we were critically short staff and had …
Teaching Swimming: Preparing Swim Instructors
Clear Progression of Essential Skills One of the most defining features of Teaching Swimming: Fun and Effective Instruction is its clear, methodical structure for building swim competence through a carefully curated sequence of fundamental skills. New instructors often come to the pool deck with varying degrees of knowledge—some may have swum competitively but never taught …
Instructor placement matters
Where you stand in a swimming lesson is almost as important as the feedback you give. Almost. Have you ever thought to yourself, “How could I make this swim lesson just a little bit better?” Maybe, or maybe not. I spend most of my days thinking about how to improve swimming lessons. When I am …
April 2025: Level 4 Repeatable
I think of Level 4 as “swim team ready.” It’s the level where swimmers are beginning to be independent in the water and truly expressing that independence with long-distance swimming, butterfly, and breaststroke. You can structure your level 4 class in many different ways; coaching, out of water instruction, endurance building, and advanced progressions. This …
March 2025: Level 3 Repeatable Plan
Level 3 is a great stage in swimming. Its full of growing independence, comfort and confidence, and the tipping point from supported swimming to freedom. I love teaching Level 3. Can you guess why? There are so many moments where the light of success blossoms in swimmers. You can see them exalt in joy when …
February 2025: Back Streamlines into Backstroke
Back glides are an essential part of the beginning swimmer and usually a sign of true comfort in the water. One of the most unnatural and uncomfortable things for new swimmers to do is lay upside-down, on their back, and to move backwards without being able to see. Backstroke can be scary. Following the supportive …
January 2025: Transitioning from Supported to Independence
Why streamline and short distances can build confidence and bravery! Kicking off January of 2025 we’re going to look at how to move those Level 1 swimmers that just graduated in Level 2 to gliding by themselves short distances. We’ll focus on strategies and techniques that encourage independent attempts, using kicking for propulsion, and leveraging …
December 2024: Glides and Underwater
Glides are one of the primary vehicles for getting swimmers to go underwater. If you do consistent supported front and black glides throughout your lessons then you’ll develop the habits and body posture that serves as the basis for all swimming while working on that crucial first step to swimming lessons: going underwater. Going underwater …
November 2024: Streamline & Position 11
Streamline & Position 11: essential building blocks for all strokes. Streamline Review Streamline while standing on deck: Three things for an excellent Streamline: Lock your thumb: Squeeze your ears: Look down (or up for backstroke): Position 11 Position 11 after a streamline: Three things for an excellent Position 11: Keep your arms straight: Stay on …
November 2024: Short Distance Training
When will my kid learn to swim? Why are they only swimming short distances? My kid never gets a chance to swim a full length of the pool. How will they get better if they’re always stopping short? I love these questions because they illustrate an opportunity to educate parents on how swim lessons work. …
October 2024: Teaching Swimming v4 Preview
Every year is has a new focus of improvement for people running swimming lessons and swim instruction. This year I’m focusing on updating the Teaching Swimming workbook. Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 will see the rollout of version 4 of the Teaching Swimming Workbook: Fun and Effective Instruction. Teaching Swimming v3 was published in 2019: …
October 2024: Rotation Method
Instructor focus: Rotation Method Establish the framework for how lessons should move; keep swimmers going with minimal downtime where they “do nothing.” Build the framework. Enforce it daily. Foster happy parents and productive swimmers. Avoid confusion, boredom, and parent anger. Rotate to the wall, to the instructor, bench to bench, or circle swim. With benches,in …
September 2024: Guppies Repeatable
Guppies: Games and Goofiness This lesson plan is the perfect bridge for swimmers between ages 2 + 4. Check out our in-depth guide to Guppies here: This lesson plan is repeatable and intended to be used over and over until you’ve built up a toolbox of custom games and activities for your specific pool layout. …
Creating the ultimate swim lesson curriculum with Katie Crysdale and Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
#totdecks #levelstructure #activityactivitychallenge #formula #funandeffective #swimgame Thank you very much for the opportunity to talk at length with you, Katie, about swimming lessons and Swimming Ideas. I had a wonderful time talking with Katie and seeing her unique point of view facing aquatics in Canada. There are many areas of commonality and significant differences (specifically …
Paid Newsletter: Starter Pack
Here is a starter pack of lesson plans to begin your journey teaching better lessons tomorrow. Swimming Ideas’ goal is for everyone to teach fun and effective lessons. Leverage the “Activity, Activity, Challenge” formula written into every lesson plan and maximize your student’s time on task, effort in the water, and promote deliberate practice opportunities …
Enhancing Instruction with Command Language and Rotation Methods
Effective swimming instruction is crucial for fostering water safety and developing proficient swimmers. Command language and rotation methods are two essential techniques that instructors can employ to enhance instruction, improve clarity, and ensure equal attention for all swimmers. This article will delve into the significance of these methods, discuss their benefits, and provide training tips …
Thoughts on watching my 3-year-old in her first lessons
My 3-year-old daughter is in her 3rd swimming lesson without my wife or I in the water without us. She’s in level 1. And she’s been that kid that cries on the side of the pool clinging to us like we’re about to abandon her to flail in the water alone. I feel for her. …
Membership Benefits: Adaptable Level Structure
All Access Membership gives you and your entire team tools that hook into Swimming Ideas’ level structure. Each daily lesson plan is custom made for a corresponding level and includes multiple activities and challenges aimed at that level’s testable skills. Follow our lesson plans and your swim instructors will teach all the core skills to …
Lesson plans for beginners and veterans
I love using our lesson plans daily. Even when I get in the water and sub for a class or teach a group of 3 year olds I’m reaching for the TerraSlate printed lesson plans. Why? Because even for a veteran instructor like me, I need to knock the rust off the metal a little, …
Guppies: Playing with Parents and Toddlers
Welcome to our guide on running a successful Guppies swim class. This post is designed to provide Aquatic Professionals with practical advice on training staff to create an engaging, educational, and fun environment for both toddlers and their parents. We’ll cover the importance of instructor energy, parent engagement, and tips for empowering young instructors to …
Improve your swim instructor training with this one easy step
Swim instruction is a vital skill, imparting not only the ability to swim but also instilling confidence and a love for the water. However, many swim programs face a common challenge: the lack of a robust instructor training program. This gap can lead to inconsistent teaching methods and a subpar learning experience for students. The …
Swimming Game – Swim then Coach
Name Swim then Coach Core Skill Peer Coaching and Technical Execution What This challenge is tailored for swimmers at levels 3, 4, and those in developmental swim teams, aiming to enhance their technical execution and peer coaching skills. How The process unfolds as follows: Difficulties Participants Might Face Participants may encounter challenges with memorizing the …
Great Level Breakdown Video Series: King’s Swim Academy
I found these videos from King Swim Academy and think that they’re great examples of swim lessons. You may see some similarities and differences between their lesson structure and Swimming Ideas. Great job King Swim Academy! Kings Swim Academy – Bay Area Swim Lessons & Classes Parent and Me Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 …
Swim Lessons: On-Boarding, Training, & Longevity Plan
Hire a swim instructor Put up a job application somewhere online. The application should follow your hiring rules with a job description, expected work hours, pay rate, compensation, and typical activities. Schedule an interview with your applicant. I prefer to do things digitally and remotely because it lets me to a lot of meetings without …
Guppies: Playing games with toddlers
Teaching swimming to toddlers can be a rewarding and challenging experience. Toddlers are curious, energetic, and eager to learn new skills, but they also have short attention spans, limited body control, and varying levels of confidence. As a swim instructor, you need to balance safety, fun, and learning in your classes. In this blog post, …
Membership Benefits: Teaching Swimming Workbook PDF
The PDF version of the Teaching Swimming workbook. Print it. Use the digital resource online. Share it with you or your staff. Color-coded sections for easy reference: Blue sections are the essential swim skills. Learn how to teach each of the essential swim skills with tips and guidance related to each one. Lean what to …
Membership Benefits: Online Courses
Swimming Ideas currently has 4 online courses. 2 of the online courses are intended for teaching and learning new material: Level Structure and Teaching Swimming. The other 2 courses serve different needs. Downloads, Tools & Tutorials is a “holding” course where you can find all your downloadable files like lesson plans, visual skill sheets, workbook …
Membership Benefits: Lesson Plans; Formula for Success
Are you looking for a way to improve your swim instruction, save time, and train your staff more effectively? If so, you might be interested in becoming an All Access Member of Swimming Ideas. As an All Access Member, you will get access to our proven lesson formula that works for any level, any skill, …
Membership Benefits: Lesson Plans; Games & Challenges
Aquatic Professionals know that we don’t all know everything. We reach out for more information, we like to connect with others, and see how other instructors and professionals tackle common problems. My goal with Swimming Ideas and the All Access Memberships is to provide clear and simple tools that make your training, instruction, and swimming …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Otter Eating
Name Otter Eating Core Skill Back Float Who This challenge is suitable for 3 – 5 year-old swimmers who are in level 1 or 2. What The goal of this challenge is to have the swimmer float on their back while holding 2-3 floating toys on their belly without letting them float or splash away. …
Instructor Training Challenge: Conquer Fear Dance
Name The Wild and Goofy Dance Challenge Core Skill Confidence and creativity What This challenge is designed to test the participants’ ability to do something they have never done before, without fear or hesitation. It also encourages them to be creative and have fun. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might …
Instructor Training Challenge: Non-Verbal Directions
Name Non-Verbal Directions Core Skill Non-Verbal Communication and Feedback What This is a challenge that tests the participants’ ability to communicate and give feedback without using words, as well as to follow non-verbal cues from others. How Difficulties participants might face How this challenge relates to swim instruction Beyond Words: The Power of Non-Verbal Feedback …
What makes a lesson plan good?
Swimming lesson plans are essential tools for swimming teachers to deliver fun and effective lessons to their students. A good lesson plan should have the following characteristics: Provide a clear progression of level relatable skills A good lesson plan should have a clear aim and objective that is relevant to the level and ability of …
Lesson Plans: Engaging the Parent Tot Parent
As a swim instructor or an aquatic professional, you know how important parent tot swimming lessons are. They are not only a way to introduce young children to the water and teach them essential skills, but also a way to educate and empower parents to be their child’s first and best teacher. However, you also …
Instructor Training Challenge: Leading the Blind with Commands
Name Leading the Blind with Commands Core Skill Communication and Leadership What This is a challenge that tests the participants’ ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as to lead and guide others in a difficult situation. How Difficulties participants might face How this challenge relates to swim instruction
Instructor Training Challenge: Find Your Folk
Name Find Your Folk Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ non-verbal communication and grouping skills. What The participants will quickly separate into three groups based on their personal characteristics without speaking. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might face are: How this challenge relates to swim instruction This challenge relates …
Instructor Training Challenge: Random Skill Test
Name Random Skill Test Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ knowledge and demonstration of various swimming skills. What The participants will randomly select a swimming skill from the Teaching Swimming workbook and explain and show how to perform it. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might face are: How this …
Evaluating your swim instructor staff
Swimming instructors are essential for teaching people of all ages and abilities how to swim safely and enjoyably. However, not all swimming instructors are equally effective or qualified. As a supervisor or manager of a swimming program, you need to evaluate your swimming instructors regularly and provide them with feedback and training opportunities to improve …
IPRA Conference 2024: Aquatic Operations
Three big areas people are interested in: Tracking swim lesson levels, skills, and report cards. You can use SwimLessons.Pro, our online lesson management system when you’re an All Access Member for Teams. This is a constantly evolving system based on a simple site that is custom built for your team. You have full control over …
Agencies – One Sheet Info-graphic
What are the benefits of an All Access for Teams membership? How to Teach Swimming with Fun and Effective Instruction Are you looking for a way to teach swimming lessons that is fun, effective, and easy to follow? Do you want to train your staff to a single standard and ensure quality instruction? Do you …
Agencies – Getting Started with New Members
You have an All-Access Membership for Teams. That means you and anyone you share your membership with will have full access to all of Swimming Ideas online courses, tools, and documents. It is the easiest way to share training, ensure consistency, and provide resources for you and your staff to deliver high quality fun and …
One thing to improve your swim instruction
There are so many different things we can talk about that can improve your swimming instruction. We could detail how using a formula like “Activity, Activity, Challege,” allows for more deliberate practice and lessons full of fun and excitement. Or, I could outline how you should be self-evaluating your performance during each day and looking …
How the Free Lesson Plans Help You
Check out our free lesson plans hosted on gumroad.com. Seriously. They’re awesome and free. Download samples of our daily lesson plans for level specific instruction, a few pages of our visual skill sheets, and even pages from our Teaching Swimming and Lesson Coordinator workbooks. At the bottom of every post, game, page, and tool on …
Improve Collaborative Leadership and Staff Morale
Running a swimming lesson program for a park district or agency can be a rewarding and challenging task. You have to manage a team of instructors, lifeguards, and other staff members, while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of your participants. How can you make sure your program runs smoothly and effectively? In this blog post, …
How Swim Games and Challenges Enhance Our Swimming Lesson Plans
At Swimming Ideas, we believe that learning how to swim should be fun, engaging, and effective. That’s why we have created a comprehensive collection of swimming lesson plans that cover all the essential skills and techniques for swimmers of all ages and levels. But our swimming lesson plans are not just about drills and exercises. …
Putting yards into 2024
New Year, New Goals: How to Improve Your Swimming and Swim Instruction in 2024 Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to dive into 2024 with enthusiasm and determination. As a swim instructor and a swimmer myself, I always look forward to the new year as an …
Christmas Holiday: Swimming into the Festive Season
Hello Swim Coaches, Aquatic Professionals, and Swim Instructors, We’re warming up (despite the dropping temperatures!) to dive into the vibrant and joyous Christmas season. As professionals who bring the joy of swimming to many, you all must have unique ways to spread the Christmas cheer in your swimming lessons and practices. We’re eager to know …
Swimming Game – Christmas Presents
Name Christmas Presents Core Skill This game is designed to reinforce the basic skills of swimming, such as streamlining, breathing, kicking, and stroke technique. Who This game is suitable for developmental swim team swimmers who are at least level 4, meaning they can swim 25 yards of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and perform flip …