One of my favorite things in life is to give feedback and hear the story of how it went. Here's a real email exchange from a subscriber who was struggling to teach breaststroke to a swimmer with ADD/ADHD. The results were fantastic.
The Question
A subscriber wrote in:
Hi! Do you have any tips on teaching a child with ADD or ADHD? We have accomplished a legal breaststroke kick, but the arms aren't quite there. He gets frustrated easily, and I am running out of ideas to work on the pull and timing. Thanks, S.
My Response: The Drill-Challenge Formula
Patience and repetition with lots of challenges interspersed between high-focus activities. ADD/ADHD swimmers love to be stimulated. Couple that with achievements, and they'll have an apple to reach for. I'd follow a"drill, challenge, skill, challenge"formula.
Here's a sample set:
- 3 x streamline with 2 x (11, Eat, 11) — focusing on the pull
- Then a 50 or 100 free
- 2 x 25 position 11, and to breathe do 11, Eat, 11
- 1 x 100 free
- Repeat as needed
It'll take time, and some challenges might feel like wasting time, but they help stimulate interest and make kids more receptive to your instruction. Let me know if that helps. — Jeff N.
The Follow-Up: A Creative Twist
S. replied with excitement and a clever idea:
Thanks! He will like these ideas because the child loves food! This would work on the "catch" and pull towards the chest and back to streamline. He makes me hungry during our session because he just talks about what meal he will eat next. His meds also make him hungry too.
So last challenge — you literally mean on the bottom of the 3.5 feet? I am assuming this works on lung endurance because he would have to have breath control to get himself down to the bottom. — S.
I confirmed: yes, bottom in 3.5 feet or whatever works. It works on breath control, body position, and awareness. Mostly it's fun and stimulating. Taking 2-3 tries also allows him to mentally recover and rest so we can focus on skills better later.
The Success Story
A few days later, S. shared this wonderful update:
So I met with my student on Saturday and we worked on a few things that you had suggested. I really like the 3x work only going 12.5 yards and turning around because it gives 2 stopping points to discuss what is going on correctly and what needs improvements. He does need endurance work, but he needs technique and skill work more at this point.
Tonight he will be designing his own practice — I will bring a die. If he rolls a 1, he does this, 2, etc. Lets him feel he is in control of practice, but there is some meat to the game.
He loved the challenge with the nose, belly, and big toe — said it was hard, but he kept at it and was determined. Said "Are we doing that again on Monday?" Hmm, maybe. One of the best practices I had with him overall, which is great!
Key Takeaways
I'm thrilled that this format worked so well for S. and her student. You can see how the 3x skill work and shorter distances led to her swimmer getting more out of the feedback. A consistent format will also help her swimmer learn routine and expectations. He'll know that during a shorter set he'll do it multiple times with focused improvement, then have a chance to be stimulated with an interesting game or challenge. Mix in some endurance swimming, and you can tame the chaotic difficulty of working with an ADD/ADHD swimmer.
It can be challenging but so rewarding. What are your experiences? Share below!
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