What it is
The script is the fixed set of four verbal cues delivered every time for Supported Front Glides, paired with physical support and repeated across many attempts.
The fixed verbal script spoken every lesson to every swimmer during Supported Front Glides. It is the same four-line sequence each time, with no variation.
Essentials
- 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.
- Use the same phrasing every time; familiar words build trust and speed skill development.
- Repetition across many attempts — every attempt is another opportunity to go underwater.
Progression
- Instructor demonstrates; learner trusts instructor; learner's arms reach for instructor's shoulders.
- Hands on shoulders support.
- Hands in hands support.
- Short glide, then hand in hand.
- Hands in hands (limited support).
- Brief glide alone, then hands in hands (transition to independence).
What goes wrong
- Swimmer does not put face in the water: switch to hands-on-shoulders support; lift the belly or outside of hips to straighten the body.
- Body not straight: keep the swimmer's arms straight; lift the belly or outside of hips.
- Instructor backs away or denies support when the swimmer arrives: plant your feet and remain in place; the swimmer is trusting you to stay there.
- Swimmer will not put face in the water: Keep the swimmer's arms straight and work to keep the body straight; this support level is specifically for swimmers who resist putting their face in the water.
- Swimmer's body is not straight: Lift the belly or the outside of the hips to manipulate the body into a straight line.
How you know it worked
The swimmer glides with face in the water, body straight, and arms extended. Once independent glide begins, transition to the next (less) support type.
The swimmer completes the glide with face in the water, body held straight, and a forward push-off along the surface plane.
How you teach it
The script works because learners crave structure. When they know exactly what is coming, they are more confident trying new things. Repetition equals comfort equals progress. Use the same phrasing every time, every lesson, to every swimmer — this builds habits that last even when teachers change.
The bracketed options are your selection points: choose chin, lips, or nose based on the learner's readiness for face-in-water depth; choose "with" or "to" based on the push-off direction or contact point that fits the moment.
Instructor demonstrates first — tell, show, do. Go slow. Help often. Build trust: the learner's arms reach for your shoulders because they trust you to be there. Never back up or deny physical support when they arrive. The single worst thing you can do is not help when they get to you.
For hands-on-shoulders: keep the swimmer's arms straight and attempt to keep the body straight. Lift the belly or outside of hips to manipulate the body into a straight line. Walk backwards to simulate movement and independent propulsion. This support is usually for swimmers who do not yet put their face in the water.
For hands in hands: the participant reaches forward in streamline with face in the water. Hold their hands near the surface and pull to provide motion. Hold at arms length. Use your other hand to support belly and body if needed. Goal: arms straight, face in water, body relaxed, stretched, and floating on the surface while you move backwards.
For short glide then hand in hand: stand a body length or two away and wait for them to glide to you. Goal is face down, in the water, body straight. Once they arrive, support with hands on shoulders or hands in hands.
Keep your voice and energy in the delivery, but stick to the core script. Avoid filler words like "okay?" Predictability builds safety and trust. You can be fun, creative, and personable while still using the consistent framework that works.
The script is non-negotiable in its repetition: say it every lesson, to every swimmer, every single time. Repetition, repetition, repetition; many attempts. Every attempt is another opportunity to go underwater. Do not skip a line or paraphrase.
For the first cue, the instructor demonstrates and the learner trusts the instructor to guide the shoulders under. For the second cue, the learner's arms reach specifically toward the instructor's shoulders, not just forward into open water. The third cue is the one that separates this drill from a simple float: the face goes in. The bracketed options (chin, lips, nose) let you meet the swimmer where they are—start with the chin if the full face is too much. For the fourth cue, the instructor walks backwards to simulate forward movement and independent propulsion, so the swimmer learns to push off into space rather than just pushing against a static body.
The instructor stands immediately next to the swimmer at first. As confidence grows, stand farther back to encourage a longer independent glide before re-establishing hand contact. The progression from hands-on-shoulders to hands-in-hands to a brief solo glide is how you build that confidence over time. If a swimmer lifts their head or begins to doggy-paddle out of fear, provide support immediately and remain close; do not let them struggle. Build trust by staying within reach.