I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
Why Learning To Go Underwater Is A Gradual Process - Plus Ready-Made Lesson Plans For Teachers
Going underwater can be a scary thing so it needs to be approached wth caution. Also, download 101 Swimming Lesson Plans.
Hi, Mark here. I hope you've had a great week.
Following last weeks chat about the hows and whens of breathing when swimming, it makes sense to chat about the vital stages that come before that: submerging underwater.
The ability to submerge the face is arguably one of the most important stages when learning to swim, particularly when overcoming a fear of water. Some beginners arrive with this ability built-in and only need to be taught a breathing technique. For others, it will be one of the most terrifying tasks they face.
Stage 1: Getting the face wet
Remember, getting the face wet and being splashed in the face are two completely different concepts, each having different effects, and not always positive ones. There are a few practices to work through, such as blowing bubbles, cupping water and wetting the face and throwing and catching a ball.
Stage 2: Partially submerging the face
For the next stage of mastering going underwater, you need to learn how to hold your breath by "breathing in and holding it all in". Some will be able to do this easily, others will learn by trial and error. An object can then be placed just under the water surface, shallow enough to see and reach for it, but deep enough for the mouth to be submerged in order to reach it. This practice can then be gradually progressed as confidence grows.
Stage 3: Total Submersion and Swimming Underwater
Stage 2 naturally leads quickly onto stage 3 where the object is placed below the water surface where you are encouraged to retrieve it by completely submerging your head underwater. By this stage, breath-holding should be more accomplished and you should begin to relax more as you submerge. Eventually swimming underwater becomes a natural progression.
Click here for the full article on learning to go underwater.
101 Swimming Lesson Plans in One Downloadable File.
It's been available for a while now and is proving very popular - a ready-made swimming lesson plans pdf that takes the hard work out of planning. Discover every swimming lesson plan from first entering the pool and building confidence to swimming in deep water, including plans written explicitly for adults. Click here for more details.
Lesson plans that:
- are adaptable to your students
- save you planning time
- ensure progress
| Show me 101 Swimming Lesson Plans |
That's it for this week. Stay focused, stay in touch and stay safe.
Happy swimming!
Cheers
Mark
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Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach
I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
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