Laugh, smile, PLAY! (cue_set)
Definition: Walk on hands or elbows. Stay low to the surface of the water. The whole purpose of this class is FUN!
Core cues:
- "Walk on hands or elbows. Stay low to the surface of the water."
- "Ask swimmers to 'kiss the water' frequently."
- "Lay flat, use feet to kick."
- "Introduce challenges while moving like, 'you can only "walk" with one hand. The other must push against the water only.'"
Coach interpretation:
- "Walk on hands or elbows. Stay low to the surface of the water.": The instructor must be in the water, not standing. "This is the most crucial class for a swim instructor to lay down in the water, get their head wet, and play."
- "Dry instructor = boring class": If you see an instructor towering over their students they're not "on their level" playing games and joining in the fun.
- "Avoid shoulders out": Watch for swimmers lifting shoulders out of the water; keep them low to the surface.
Teaching strategy:
Do alligator walks frequently to move around the shallow water, to encourage putting face in the water, and have fun. Introduce challenges while moving. Ask swimmers to "kiss the water" frequently. Lay flat, use feet to kick.
Games that build an imaginary world with consistent rules are best. Pretend a kick-board is a cruise ship. Stack some toys on it and have swimmers all hold on to the cruise ship. Move around your shallow end or zero-depth. Stop at different locations and play with the toys. If a toy falls off a swimmer must rescue it by kissing the water, or putting their whole face in water.
Encourage staff to invent their own games or reference the Swimming Ideas game list on the website.
Common errors and corrections:
- Dry instructor = boring class: This is the most crucial class for a swim instructor to lay down in the water, get their head wet, and play.
- Instructor towering over students: If you see an instructor towering over their students they're not "on their level" playing games and joining in the fun.
- Using stairs instead of zero-depth: Stairs might be an appealing alternative to zero-depth or super shallow, but they can be cramped, restrict movement, and lose the ability for swimmers to play without fear of falling into deep water.
- Shoulders out: Avoid shoulders out.
Progression:
Before: Alligator walks (Zero-depth best) — "Bread and butter skill."
After: Playing games (cruise ship game, staff-invented games, Swimming Ideas game list).