Introducing the TADPOLE! I've made a small, but significant change to our program recently. We've always used elementary backstroke arms with no kick as way to help swimmers learn to establish and maintain aquatic balance. Aquatic balance is the most important swimming skill. We will continue to teach this first, but to give it even more "importance," I have decided to make this skill a stroke - the Tadpole. Now, when swimmers have learned to do this skill they will have mastered the entire Tadpole stroke instead of half of the elementary backstroke.
The words for the Tadpole arm pull are "Tickle, T, Touch." The new words for the elementary backstroke are "Little Starfish, Big Starfish, Swim!" (Thanks, Connor Skutt!)
The skills sheet has been updated to reflect the emphasis placed on the Tadpole.
Again, we have not changed our teaching method or skills progression. Someday when the Tadpole is added to the Olympic program, you can say you swam it here first!
Swim for good times!
Jeanie Neal
We swim for good times: fast times when we compete and fun times every time we get in the pool together. You can too! Face-Up First Swimming is also the home of the popular online course, Water Safety Education for Parents and Caregivers. My name is Jeanie Neal and I developed Face-Up First swimming and put together the online course.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Summer Schedule Revisited
Ahoy!
A local swim coach and regular Face-Up First blog reader, Ellen Stryker, emailed me in response to my Summer Schedule post from earlier today. She pointed out that swimmers who take lessons once per week and then practice in between often learn more quickly than those who take lessons every day with no time for extra practice on their own between lessons. Point well taken, Coach! Please consider Ellen's recommendation when planning your summer schedule. Practice, practice, practice. Swimming is fun. Visit a pool - any pool - often!
Thanks, Ellen.
Swim for good times!
-jn
A local swim coach and regular Face-Up First blog reader, Ellen Stryker, emailed me in response to my Summer Schedule post from earlier today. She pointed out that swimmers who take lessons once per week and then practice in between often learn more quickly than those who take lessons every day with no time for extra practice on their own between lessons. Point well taken, Coach! Please consider Ellen's recommendation when planning your summer schedule. Practice, practice, practice. Swimming is fun. Visit a pool - any pool - often!
Thanks, Ellen.
Swim for good times!
-jn
Summer Schedule
Ahoy, Mates!
Summer lessons are filling up. That's great! I've received several phone calls and emails asking about the relative quality of two-week sessions swimming every day versus six or eight week sessions swimming once per week.
In my too-many-to-admit years of coaching it has been my experience that swimmers learn eight lessons worth of information and skill in eight lessons whether those lessons are held daily or spaced a week apart.
So the answer to everyone's question is, "Yes, it does take longer to learn to swim if you take lessons once a week versus taking them every day." But that's only because it takes eight weeks to complete the lessons instead of eight days. Each lesson is no less effective by being spaced a full week apart.
I've never tried monthly lessons, but my guess is there is a point of diminishing returns so we won't be offering that option any time soon!
Register for the sessions that you know you can make without difficulty. The more the better, of course. Swimming is a necessary life skill, and it's fun!
-jn
Summer lessons are filling up. That's great! I've received several phone calls and emails asking about the relative quality of two-week sessions swimming every day versus six or eight week sessions swimming once per week.
In my too-many-to-admit years of coaching it has been my experience that swimmers learn eight lessons worth of information and skill in eight lessons whether those lessons are held daily or spaced a week apart.
So the answer to everyone's question is, "Yes, it does take longer to learn to swim if you take lessons once a week versus taking them every day." But that's only because it takes eight weeks to complete the lessons instead of eight days. Each lesson is no less effective by being spaced a full week apart.
I've never tried monthly lessons, but my guess is there is a point of diminishing returns so we won't be offering that option any time soon!
Register for the sessions that you know you can make without difficulty. The more the better, of course. Swimming is a necessary life skill, and it's fun!
-jn
Monday, March 3, 2008
VOYAGERS LEG #1
Ahoy, Mates!
We have completed LEG #1 of the Spring Voyage. Our Voyagers swam FAST by working on the following:
Fitness: Set of Backstroke 100's
Attitude: "Last one...make it the best one." "Be nice." when passing.
Skills: Backstroke starting position, streamlines, and finishes
Technique: Correct head position for backstroke
Week #1 Voyagers learned...
1. how to line up on the right side of the lane.
2. how to start 10 seconds apart.
3. how to position themselves for a backstroke start. (Hands, feet, butt, head)
4. how to circle swim.
5. their backstroke number.
6. how to do a proper backstroke finish (good count, fast, proper finish position, touch under silver).
7. what the flags are and what they mean (SPEED UP, the wall is coming.)
8. the words for a streamline. (Hand over Hand, Wrist over Wrist, SQUEEZE)
9. how far to streamline. (At least to the end of the blue / at least to the flags)
10. when to streamline. (every wall, every time)
11. the length of the B-T pool. (25 yards)
12. proper head position for backstroke. (In-line, ears in the water, rock solid still)
13. what happens when you move your head from proper alignment. (It slows you down and makes you tired.)
14. to "Be nice," when you pass. (Pass quickly, move over when being passed.)
15. Last one...Make it the best one!
16. the number one rule in backstroke. (Stay on your back!)
17. what do we swim for? (Good Times!)
LEG #2: Freestyle!
We have completed LEG #1 of the Spring Voyage. Our Voyagers swam FAST by working on the following:
Fitness: Set of Backstroke 100's
Attitude: "Last one...make it the best one." "Be nice." when passing.
Skills: Backstroke starting position, streamlines, and finishes
Technique: Correct head position for backstroke
Week #1 Voyagers learned...
1. how to line up on the right side of the lane.
2. how to start 10 seconds apart.
3. how to position themselves for a backstroke start. (Hands, feet, butt, head)
4. how to circle swim.
5. their backstroke number.
6. how to do a proper backstroke finish (good count, fast, proper finish position, touch under silver).
7. what the flags are and what they mean (SPEED UP, the wall is coming.)
8. the words for a streamline. (Hand over Hand, Wrist over Wrist, SQUEEZE)
9. how far to streamline. (At least to the end of the blue / at least to the flags)
10. when to streamline. (every wall, every time)
11. the length of the B-T pool. (25 yards)
12. proper head position for backstroke. (In-line, ears in the water, rock solid still)
13. what happens when you move your head from proper alignment. (It slows you down and makes you tired.)
14. to "Be nice," when you pass. (Pass quickly, move over when being passed.)
15. Last one...Make it the best one!
16. the number one rule in backstroke. (Stay on your back!)
17. what do we swim for? (Good Times!)
LEG #2: Freestyle!
VOYAGER BLOG CONTEST
ATTENTION VOYAGERS: Send me an email and you could win! Send an email to aquatics@brownell.edu telling me who broke the American Record in the Women's 1650 yard freestyle on March 2 with an astounding time of 15:24.35. The first three Voyagers who send in the correct answer will win prizes. Entries must be received by Friday, March 7.
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/17342.asp
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/17342.asp
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