To teach adults how to swim requires first assessing what their ability level is. This guide provides a structured approach to help you assess skills and build a personalized lesson plan.
Step 1: The Assessment Checklist
Use the following list to systematically assess the adult swimmer's ability. Remember to start with the foundational skills and only move on when the student demonstrates competence in the current area.
1. Underwater Movement
- Can they go underwater? (If no, focus on this first.)
2. Floating (Stomach and Back)
- Look for the following indicators of stability:
3. Front Crawl (Freestyle)
- The swimmer should demonstrate:
4. Back Float
- The swimmer should demonstrate:
5. Breaststroke
- The swimmer should demonstrate:
<strong>💡 Coach's Tip:</strong> When assessing, always prioritize the most critical element. For example, if the swimmer struggles with breaststroke kicks, do not spend time correcting their arm movements; focus solely on improving the kick first.
Step 2: Sample Teaching Progression (The Lesson Plan)
This progression outlines a logical path for building skills, moving from passive support to full swimming ability. Use this as a framework and adjust based on the student's assessment results.
- Underwater: Start with basic underwater movement and breath control.
- Float (Back or Front): Build comfort and stability in the water.
- Float and Kick: Combine stability with propulsion.
- Float and Kick with Movement: Introduce forward motion. Any forward movement allows the body to naturally float, promoting a good body line.
- Streamlines: Practice pushing off the wall with perfect body alignment.
- Swimming with Arms (NO Breathing): Focus on stroke mechanics and endurance. Give specific stroke counts to the swimmer.
- Swimming with Arms AND Breathing: Integrate breathing patterns into the stroke. Set goals for both breaths and total strokes.
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