Supported Front Glides (Parent Tot) (skill)
Definition: Front glides for infant swimmers in a parent taught class, supported by the parent using either palm up support or football hold support.
Core cues:
- Push your palms under the infant’s chest or belly and wrap your thumbs around their shoulders.
- Hold your hands like you’re about to catch a football, thumbs facing each others palm facing out from you.
- Wrap your fingers around the child’s ribs and have your thumbs on their chest.
- Bend your elbows and control their depth.
- Let swimmer keep their face above water and encourage kissing water and willful attempts at face in.
Coach interpretation:
- Push your palms under the infant’s chest or belly and wrap your thumbs around their shoulders: Good for calm or relaxed children.
- Hold your hands like you’re about to catch a football, thumbs facing each others palm facing out from you: Football hold support.
- Wrap your fingers around the child’s ribs and have your thumbs on their chest: Football hold support.
- Bend your elbows and control their depth: Football hold support.
- Let swimmer keep their face above water and encourage kissing water and willful attempts at face in: Keep the face above water; encourage kissing water and willful attempts at face in.
Teaching strategy:
Teach parents confidence and they’ll thrive. Teaching the parent to be calm and receptive to your activities and songs is the major focus of this class type. The parent taught class is typically 30 minutes and the goal is to provide a consistent and predictable lesson where infant swimmers will develop clear expectations. Make it clear that for real progress to occur, parents and swimmers need to spend significant time in the pool.
Common errors and corrections:
- Parent fear: If the parent is afraid of going underwater or doing something the infant will immediately pick up on their emotions and act out. Teach parents confidence and they’ll thrive.
Progression:
Supported Back Glides