Name

Kick on Side Helicopter Arm

Core Skill

This challenge focuses on improving the swimmer’s front crawl (freestyle) technique, particularly enhancing body rotation, arm movement, and kicking strength.

Who

This challenge is suitable for:

• Level 2 swimmers
• Level 3 swimmers
• Level 4 swimmers
• Developmental swimmers

What

The “Kick on Side Helicopter Arm” challenge involves swimmers pushing off the wall in a streamlined position on their belly, then rotating their body to one side transitioning into Position 1.

The swimmer maintains Position 1 with the lower arm while the upper arm spins above the water like a helicopter blade. The swimmer kicks continuously to keep their body at the surface.

How

1. Starting Position: Swimmers push off the wall in a streamlined position on their belly.
2. Body Rotation: After a brief streamline, the swimmer rotates their body so one shoulder is upright and the other is under the body.
3. Arm Position: The arm under the body remains in Position 1, while the top arm spins above the water like a helicopter blade.
4. Kicking: Swimmers kick in Position 1 to keep their body high enough for the arm to spin above the water.
5. Success Metric: Swimmers must complete a full, non-dipping underwater spin of the “helicopter” arm at least 5 times (3 times for beginners) while kicking about 3-5 body lengths.

Difficulties Instructors Might Face

1. Body Positioning: Some swimmers may struggle to maintain the correct body position, either sinking too low or not rotating enough.
2. Arm Coordination: Coordinating the spinning arm with the kicking motion can be challenging, especially for younger or less experienced swimmers.
3. Kicking Strength: Swimmers may not have a strong enough kick to keep their body at the surface, causing their arm to dip underwater.
4. Endurance: Maintaining the position and movement for the required number of spins can be tiring, leading to loss of form.
5. Breathing: Swimmers might find it difficult to breathe while maintaining the side position and spinning arm movement.

This challenge is a fun and engaging way to help swimmers improve their freestyle technique while also building strength and coordination.