Streamline and Kick Progression

Streamline and Kick Progression (progression)

Definition: A progression that builds the feeling of flex, lifting and flexing, and finally pushing on the water.

Core cues:

1. "Go slow. Repeat each step many times."
2. "Do a streamline and hold “flex” for a few body lengths."
3. "Do a streamline then lift the feet up, and flex them. Pause in this position for a few beats."
4. "PUSH the water with the inside of their feet."
5. "Push off in streamline (no kick) at the surface remain in streamline or move to Position 11, then do a single breaststroke kick."

Coach interpretation:

• "Go slow. Repeat each step many times.": The instructor must pace the progression slowly and provide many repetitions of each step before advancing.
• "Do a streamline and hold “flex” for a few body lengths.": Watch for the swimmer holding flex while in streamline across a few body lengths.
• "Do a streamline then lift the feet up, and flex them. Pause in this position for a few beats.": Watch for the feet lifted up and flexed, with the swimmer pausing in this position for a few beats.
• "PUSH the water with the inside of their feet.": Provide the opportunity only after flex and lift & flex are mastered; watch for the swimmer pushing the water with the inside of their feet.
• "Encourage swimmers to feel the power and strength of a single breaststroke kick.": Encourage swimmers to feel the power and strength of a single breaststroke kick.
• "Prolong or exaggerate the glide after the kick.": Watch for a prolonged or exaggerated glide after the kick.
• "Push off in streamline (no kick) at the surface remain in streamline or move to Position 11, then do a single breaststroke kick.": Watch for the push off in streamline with no kick at the surface, remaining in streamline or moving to Position 11, then a single breaststroke kick.

Teaching strategy:

Build the feeling of flex, lifting and flexing, and finally pushing on the water. Go slow. Repeat each step many times. Begin with SL + Flex: do a streamline and hold “flex” for a few body lengths. Then SL + Lift & Flex: do a streamline then lift the feet up, and flex them, and pause in this position for a few beats. After flex and lift & flex are mastered begin providing opportunity for learners to PUSH the water with the inside of their feet. Encourage swimmers to feel the power and strength of a single breaststroke kick. Prolong or exaggerate the glide after the kick. Then SL + 1 BR K: push off in streamline (no kick) at the surface remain in streamline or move to Position 11, then do a single breaststroke kick.

Progression:

Comes before: Lift, Flex, Push (sitting on the side). Within the progression: SL + Flex, then SL + Lift & Flex, then Single kick with an exaggerated glide, then SL + 1 BR K. Related: Breaststroke Arms.