Do the Challenges. Every Time.
This one is really easy.
Do the challenges. Yes. Every day. Every lesson.
The swim instruction formula: Activity, Activity, CHALLENGE
There it is, on the far right of the lesson plan. In fact, there are challenges ALWAYS at the end of each row.
Key Points:
- Do the challenges.
- Yes. Do them over and over every lesson.
- Do the challenges. Don’t skip them.
- Make them quick, and avoid wasting time.
But… why?
Challenges are extremely important to the flow of a swim lesson or developmental swim practice. They inject fun and offer a welcome break between the repetition and focus we desire in the activities.
Think of it this way:
Activity = learning, effort, stress, thoughtfulness, attention.
Challenge = fun, excitement, joy, refreshing, release.
Our major goal during lessons is to make sure that the swimmers are engaged with learning every minute of their time in the water. Fun and effective instruction.
Challenges are FUN opportunities to practice skills in a way that doesn’t feel like they’re learning.
Every challenge has a connected swimming skill.
So doing the challenges every time, means that the swimmers are getting a chance to practice that swimming skill!
But… the challenges are too boring. The swimmer’s succeed every time.
GREAT! Now make the challenge harder. Add an extra roadblock to the challenge!
How do you do that?
Let’s look at the Level 1 challenge, Keep 5 toes above water for 3 seconds without holding anything.
Make it more difficult by adding any or all of these roadblocks:
- Lift the entire foot out of the water while doing a back float with 2 finger support, or no support.
- Keep the head out of the water too from the ears and up as well as 5 toes.
- Put your hands on your belly and keep 5 toes above water for 3 seconds.
- Rotate to your belly, or so you’re face down and keep 5 toes above water for 3 seconds.
Do the challenges. Yes! Do them! Every time!
And if you need to, make adaptations, adjustments, or provide roadblocks to make them more challenging.