The script (cue_set)
Definition: The script is the fixed set of four verbal cues used every time for Supported Front Glides. It is paired with physical support (hands on shoulders, hands in hands, or short glide then hand in hand) and delivered with repetition across many attempts.
Core cues:
- Put your shoulders in the water.
- Reach your arms out to me.
- Put your face [chin, lips, nose] in the water.
- Push off [with, to] me.
Coach interpretation:
- Put your shoulders in the water: Instructor demonstrates the position. The learner's arms reach for the instructor's shoulders.
- Reach your arms out to me: The learner trusts the instructor; arms extend toward the instructor's shoulders for the hands-on-shoulders support.
- Put your face [chin, lips, nose] in the water: The bracketed options (chin, lips, nose) indicate the instructor selects the appropriate face-in-water depth for the learner's readiness.
- Push off [with, to] me: The bracketed options (with, to) indicate the instructor selects the push-off direction or contact point.
Teaching strategy:
- Use the script every time.
- Repetition, Repetition, Repetition; many attempts. Every attempt is another opportunity to go underwater.
- Instructor demonstrates first.
- Build trust: the learner trusts the instructor; the learner's arms reach for the instructor's shoulders.
- Three types of support are available depending on the learner's readiness:
- Hands on shoulders – The swimmer puts their hands on the instructor's shoulders. Keep swimmer's arms straight and attempt to keep body straight. This support is usually used for swimmers that do not put their face in the water. Lift the belly or outside of hips to manipulate the swimmer's body into a straight line. The instructor should walk backwards to simulate movement and independent propulsion.
- Hands in hands – Participant reaches forward in streamline with their face in the water. The instructor will hold the participant's hands with their own. Keep the swimmer's hands near the surface and pull to provide motion. Hold the swimmer at arms length. If needed, use other hand to support belly and body. The goal is to keep participant's arms straight, their face in the water, and their body relaxed, stretched, and floating on the surface while the instructor moves backwards.
- Short glide, then hand in hand – The Instructor stands a body length or two away from the swimmer and waits for them to glide to the instructor. Goal is for participant to glide with their face down, in the water keeping their body straight. Once participant gets to instructor, either support with hands on shoulders or hands supported on instructor's hand.
Common errors and corrections:
- Swimmer does not put face in the water: Use hands-on-shoulders support; lift the belly or outside of hips to manipulate the swimmer's body into a straight line.
- Body not straight: Keep swimmer's arms straight and attempt to keep body straight; lift the belly or outside of hips.
Progression:
- Before: Instructor demonstrating; learner trusts instructor; learner's arms reach for instructor's shoulders.
- During: Hands on shoulders → Hands in hands → Short glide, then hand in hand.
- Once the swimmer starts independent glide, the instructor transitions to the next support type.
Short verified cues (confirmed present; check by eye): “Push off [with, to] me.”