Learning to Swim
presented by Leslie Newman
A comprehensive
guide to
teaching,beginners
how to swim.
An Overview
Water Safety
Confidence
Buoyancy
Gliding
Propulsion
Submerging and
Diving
Underwater
Swimming
Breath-control
Jump
Turning and
Changing Direction
Water Safety
Reaching pole
Every pool should have at least 2
reaching poles. This is an alloy or
bamboo pole that is bound and padded
at both ends. This device may also be
used as a teaching aid.
Water Safety
Ring-buoy and a
heaving-line
50 feet of a nylon
fiber line.
This nylon line can also
be attached to
different floating
devices.
Torpedo Buoy
A life saving devise
that’s bright in color,
made of rubber, and is
about three feet long.
Confidence
Being comfortable in the water is a key
concept if one wants to learn how to
swim
Water temp. should be 30-32C
The learner must associate the water with an
enjoyable experience
Mouth closed, eyes open, brain alert, body relaxed
Relaxation is a vital aspect of learning to swim
Buoyancy
In order to feel at
ease in the water one
must learn to utilize
his/her body’s natural
tendency to float.
This can be done in
groups or with the aid
of floating devices.
Prone and supine float,
with recovery, should
be learned before
moving on.
Gliding
Front gliding
A. Squat lower to shoulder level in
water.
B. Medium breath, stretch arms
forward along surface
C. Push off with feet, dropping head on
the surface
D. Streamline glide, hold breath, stand
up.
Gliding
Back Glide
a. squat down to shoulder level
b. medium breath, lean backwards
c. streamline, arms by sides, hips and
stomach up to water level, legs together
d. hold breath to retain air in chest
cavity for buoyancy
e. stand up
Front and Back Underwater Flips with
recovery, may be added at this time
Propulsion
Using the aid of
floats, front and back
glide with added legbeat, then kick flutter
kick, frog kick
Without aids from
front glide. Permit
natural instinctive
action, concentrating
only on arm movement,
if legs kick naturally
let them. Dog paddle,
breast stroke, overarm crawl
Propulsion
On back without aid of floating devise. From
the back glide thinking of arms doing all the
work. Allow legs to flutter instinctively
Movement with arm and leg action
a. dog paddle with flutter kick
b.breast-stroke with frog kick
c. over-arm crawl with flutter kick
d. elementary back stroke with frog kick and
glide.
Submerging and Surface Diving
This can be developed
through play activity
a. go down to pick up
colored objects
b. handstands
This familiarizes the
pupil with the
underwater
experience,
orientation, and
improves breathcontrol
Underwater Swimming
Easy, relaxed, natural
propulsion. Streamlineglide and recovery
stokes should be
emphasized.
Work on
a. alternate arm action
with flutter kick
b. slow breast-stroke,
frog-kick and gliding
pause
Breath-control
Emphasize inhaling of a medium breath before
submerging, exhale before surfacing
Ensure maximal exhalation of CO2 without strain
underwater, followed by sufficient O2 intake
above water to supply increased demand by
working muscles
Exhale underwater with nose and mouth
Inhale above water with a medium breath using
just the mouth.
Jump
Stride with a
forward lean, arms
spread to prevent
submerging
Vertical jump,
spring outward
with arms at sides,
legs together, body
streamlined
vertically.
Turning and Changing Direction
This exercise can be taught after
pupil can swim the width of the pool
Instruct and experiment with various
methods
a.returning to starting point without
touching the bottom
b.swim and touch, turn and return
Conclusion
We’ve now looked at
some methods used to
teach the beginning
swimmer how to swim
safely with
confidence.
Remember safety and
comfort are key.
Everyone learns at a
different rate. Don’t
rush the beginner.