The best short video on circle swimming:

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We follow the same rules, but in a shorter distance.

Our goal is to keep our swimmers moving the entire time they’re in a lesson. We can’t force them to be moving non-stop, but we should leverage a framework that enables swimmers to follow a set pattern regardless of the activity we’re doing.

Whehter it is the true beginner doing front glides from one bench to another:

Or if we’re doing more advanced stuff like a streamlnie with three freestyle strokes:

We all follow the same rules:

• Right corner of the lane goes first.
• Swim to the right of the long black line on the bottom of the pool.
• When you’re done, or at the distance, cross over that lane line.
• Return on the OTHER side of the lane.

For benches to benches:

• The right corner goes first.
• Cross the gap between benches.
• Go to the other side of the bench.
• Return on the other side, or the right side subjective to the swimmer.

For the below picture, focusing on the top lane:

The purple dot, below, is the instructor.

The green line is the swimmer doing their streamline.

The pink line is the swimmer doing 3 free strokes.

The orange curving arrow is the swimmer moving over to return in the same lane.

The yellow arrow is the swimmer returning.

All the lanes and benches below are using the rotation method in their respective areas.

From left to right:

• Level 1 rotating from bench to bench with the benches touching
• Level 2 rotating from bench to bench with the benches spread apart
• Level 3 rotating doing streamlines and arm strokes without breaths
• Level 4 rotating doing streamlines with freestyle breathing, butterfly strokes, breaststroke, or backstroke

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Key points

Enforce circle swimming, or the rotation method ALL THE TIME!

Whenever you can, you should be utilizing the rotation method in all of your lessons. From level 1 to level 4. All levels should structure their activities around the rotation method.

Tell the swimmers what they’re doing, demonstrate it, demonstrate the flow, and leverage the rotation method framework.

• 4 x streamline
• 4 x back glide
• 4 x streamline with position 11
• 4 x streamline then 3 strokes of free

Each 1x (time) is from one bench to the other, or from the wall to the instructor and back.

Use the rotation method.