Essential Swim Lesson Toys and Games for Coaches

Barbells

Barbells are a versatile and excellent tool to use in your swim program. They provide support and stability, making them ideal for teaching foundational strokes like front crawl and back crawl.

Unlike noodles, which can bend and give, barbells are more rigid and stiff. This rigidity makes them excellent for true beginning swimmers who need firm support while learning proper body alignment.

Common Activities Using Barbells

Flutter Kicking on FrontBackstroke kicking (using barbell for support)Catchup Drill Front Crawl

Kick with Barbells (Activity)

This is a great activity for learning proper kicking technique. There are two main ways to hold the barbell, depending on the swimmer's comfort and skill level.

Beginner Barbell Hold

Place the barbell under the armpits and have the swimmer on top of it.Arms should reach forward.Legs should be on the surface behind the swimmer.The barbell supports the shoulders and armpits.Head is raised, leaning forward.

Advanced Barbell Hold

Hold the barbell in hands.Extend arms forward over the head.Arms remain straight.Avoid elbows bending as much as possible.Face should be in the water, ideally looking down (can be modified to have lips in water or nose only).Feet and body should be flat and as straight as possible.

<em>Coach Tip:</em> Always use the appropriate hold for each child, tailoring your directions to the individual. If the swimmer is scared or does not put their face in the water, start with the Beginner barbell hold to build confidence first.

Catchup Swim With Barbells (Drill)

Catchup is a drill primarily used for <a title="Swim Drill – Freestyle" href="https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/freestyle/">FREESTYLE</a>. The swimmer moves in the water in <a title="Swim Drill – Freestyle – Position 11" href="https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/swim-drill-freestyle-position-11/">Position 11</a> and performs one armstroke at a time. The key is that the moving arm catches up to the other arm, which remains extended over the head in front of the swimmer. Once the moving arm resumes Position 11, the other arm takes its turn. Instead of doing this without support, have the swimmer hold the barbell with both hands. This helps reinforce the movement while providing a physical anchor.

Focus Points for Catchup Drill

Reinforce body line: Spine straight, legs mostly straight, and arms straight.Head position should be looking down in the water. Avoid looking up to maintain a streamlined profile.Minimize breaths, and when breathing, keep half of the face still in the water.Only breathe during an arm stroke to maintain rhythm and efficiency.

Powerlifters (Advanced Challenge)

This is a more advanced challenge designed for confident swimmers who are comfortable going underwater on their own. It mimics the strength and control required in competitive swimming.

Do Kicking with Barbells to the deep end from their original location.Once at the deep end, have the swimmer hold the barbell in their hands.Still holding on to the barbell, go underwater and raise the barbell above your head (like an Olympic power lifter).Keep body straight: Legs should be straight, under the person. The goal is to look like they are standing upright holding the barbell over their head.Pull down on the barbell like a pullup to return to the surface.

<em>Coach Note:</em> Most lesson programs should aim to acquire between 10–20 barbells, depending on the size of your program, ensuring enough equipment for multiple stations.