Level 2 - Minnows
WHY do we want to get into phase 3 back float ASAP?
The child should be in phase 3 back float by the 3rd or 4th lesson. This enables them to become better aware of where they are in space and create comfort by being able to see the parent’s face.
WHY do we tell parents and instructors to always have the student swimming to them?
We should never encourage a child to swim to nothing. They should be encouraged to either swim to an adult or to a wall.
WHY are wall returns vertical? (Level 3)
So the child can feel the water pick them back up. The child must look down on their own to get themselves horizontal.
WHEN should they have to monkey walk?
After they can hold the wall.
WHY do we open legs on our front and back floats?
This increases the surface area and center of buoyancy.
WHY do we have to walk and the kids hold the ring on the belly on the back float? (Level 3)
This creates spatial awareness (the awareness of where the body is in space) and creates a center of gravity and buoyancy.
WHY do jumps have to be assisted from the side?
This helps both guide the child away from the wall and have a controlled jump. The instructor should put up a “high five hand” not too high (which causes the child to jump too high) and not on the surface of the water (which does not give the child a target to jump to)
WHY do kids have to grab the wall on the bench returns?
Not all pools have benches. All pools have walls.
WHY do we correct all kids who turn in the air on jumps?
This is a dangerous habit. The number 1 cause of accidents in the pool are caused by a child that changes their direction in the air and hits their chin on the wall. This must be stopped and corrected when it occurs.
WHEN should we REQUIRE kids to hold the wall?
By the 3rd – 4th class. Remember there is a difference between “will and skill”. The child may not be willing but they have the skill to do it. If the child pushes off the wall with their feet, offer to hold the legs while the parent holds their hands over the child’s hand. Make sure that the parent is submerging between 8 and 10 inches below the water to provide an opportunity for the water to lift the child up to the wall.
WHEN can we expect kids to master H/D turn to wall independently?
(H/D = Humpty Dumpty = sitting entry) This should take no more than 2-3 classes for a submerge & release and 3-6 classes for turn underwater. This is a primary safety skill and should be mastered as quickly as possible.
WHY do we make kids spend so much time learning to do correct kicks?
Kicks are the primary source of propulsion in swimming. The child must learn to keep their legs and feet flexible but be able to apply force with the feet.
WHY do we wait to encourage kids to jump in? (Level 2)
The child should be able to do the sitting entry in a calm manner and using safe boundaries. The child should not be allowed to jump until they can jump with both feet instead of being drawn in by the parent. This also applies to level 3 students.
WHY is the beginner rollover so hard and HOW can we fix it?
The instructor must be confident in the mechanics of the skill. Practice turning eyes with child on bench before skill. Most entries are not done deep enough to create the buoyancy that will facilitate the turn. CHILD MUST INITIATE THE TURNING OF THE EYES.
WHY does the freestyle not just go from the red to tempo to the 2 ct hold? (Level 4)
This is done to focus on kicks first and arms second. The child should not move to the 5ct freestyle until kicks are mastered.