Go underwater, then recover to standing on own (skill)
Definition: A Level 1 testable skill: the swimmer goes underwater unassisted, then recovers to standing on own.
Core cues:
- (No verbatim cue language is provided in the source for this skill.)
Coach interpretation:
- (No specific physical actions or watch-fors for this skill are provided in the source.)
Teaching strategy:
Level 1 classes should be in shallow water. Chest deep for 3-4 years old is ideal; zero-depth sides of pools, or standing on platforms in pools that begin at 3.5 feet deep. Instructors should know incremental underwater progression. Supervisors look for tears and hesitation. Keep on the lookout for scared swimmers as they initially leave their parents. Provide smiles, reassurance, and confidence. If absolutely necessary, let parents walk swimmer to the edge of the pool and then exit quickly to viewing area. Let instructors acknowledge fears and tears, but not drop everything to focus only on tearful child. Invite to join, then move on. Ensure that instructors are constantly encouraging swimmers to push into the next step in a progression. Doing supported front glides hands on shoulders, instructor should be asking swimmer to kick and put face in the water with the appropriate underwater progression step (chin, lips, nose, eyes).
Common errors and corrections:
- (No specific errors and corrections for this skill are provided in the source.)
Progression:
Go underwater unassisted comes before this skill. Supported front float with face in water, supported back float with ears in water, supported front glide progression, and supported back glide progression are also Level 1 testable skills. Instructors should know incremental underwater progression, supported front glide progression, and supported back glide progression.
⚠ Language below was not found in the source — do not publish as-is. Most often this means the original sits inside a table or a multi-column layout that extraction could not read cleanly:
- “Go underwater, then recover to standing on own.”
- “Chest deep for 3-4 years old is ideal; zero-depth sides of pools, or standing on platforms in pools that begin at 3.5 feet deep.”
- “Tears and hesitation. Keep on the lookout for scared swimmers as they initially leave their parents.”
- “Provide smiles, reassurance, and confidence. If absolutely necessary, let parents walk swimmer to the edge of the pool and then exit quickly to viewing area. Let instructors acknowledge fears and tear”
- “Ensure that instructors are constantly encouraging swimmers to push into the next step in a progression.”
- “Doing supported front glides hands on shoulders, instructor should be asking swimmer to kick and put face in the water with the appropriate underwater progression step (chin, lips, nose, eyes).”