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 and glides go hand-in-hand and if we do them well, then our swimmers will be going underwater with confidence and joy.
This month we look at how to do supported front and back glides and deliver a swim lesson plan that uses both to encourage swimmers to go underwater with bravery and joy.
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Beginners need to build trust.
Trust in the instructor.
Trust in the pool.
Trust in you.
Earn your swimmer’s trust by being consistent, predictable, and honest.
Teach supported glides with consistent technique across all instructors and classes.
Be predictable by following the 3 step progressions for holding a new swimmer in Supported Front Glides and Supported Back Glides.
Supported Back Glides
- Head on shoulder
- Head on Hand
- Head on fingertips
Support swimmers the same way every time.
Be predictable. Be clear. Earn their trust.
Front Glide Support: Hands on Shoulders
Put your hands on my shoulders. Push off with me.
“Can you kick your feet? Make splashes?”
“Kiss the water. Like this. “SMOOCH!”
Front Glide Support: Hands on hands
Put your hands on my hands. Push off with me.
“Look down. Excellent! Point your Pinocchio nose to the floor.”
“Kick. Splash. Make big kicks to get me wet!”
Front Glide Support: Brief Glide, Then Support
Put your hands in front of you. Put your face in the water. Push off to me.
INSTRUCTOR: Stay where you are. DO NOT MOVE until the swimmer reaches your hands.
Give praise, direction, and guidance for next attempt.
Once you’ve established trust,
start pushing to the next step,
and make it FUN!
Use benches.
Encourage independence.
Be there to help.
Laugh.
Smile.
Be a welcoming and positive space for swimmers to thrive.
Build going underwater into every activity.
Demonstrate.
Play games and challenges.
Bake a Cake
One of the best dynamic games filled with opportunities to go underwater.
Variants include, “make a pizza,” “make a taco,” “bake muffins (with rings)”
Pick up Rings
Give swimmer 6 rings and have them get them with:
– Foot
– Hand
– Shoulder underwater
– Lips in the water.
– With a foot, but both hands above water.
Treasure Hunt
Pile as many floating toys as you can on a kickboard.
Sail it out to sea together. Have a storm strike. Waves, splashing. Spread the toys around the pool.
Do supported front glides to collect toys and return to the kick board (boat).
Back Kicking
GOAL: use floats or FINS to keep moving.
Focus on using the feet to move.
Be silly.
Be exciting!
Maximum support turns into independence gradually.
Progress happens slowly and often unnoticed.
Go slow.
Take your time.
The Supported Back Glide Script:
Put your shoulders in the water
Tilt your head back
Support the neck
Push off with me
Back Glide Support: Head on Shoulder
Put your head on my shoulder. Push off with me.
“Can you kick your feet? Make splashes?”
“Look at the ceiling/sky. Let’s sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
Back Glide Support: Head on Hand
Put your shoulders in the water, tilt your head back into my hand. Push off with me.
“Look up. Excellent! Relax your body.
“Kick. Splash. Make big kicks to get me wet!”
Back Glide Support: Head on Fingers
Put your shoulders in the water, tilt your head back. Push off with me.
Let the swimmer keep their body at the surface and kick gently to support.
Fingers on the neck are more for mental support than actual physical support.
Once you’ve established trust, comfort, and competence introduce FUN!
Glides and Underwater Lesson Plan:
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