Teaching swimming skills to others is very beneficial. However, this is not easy to do because there is a lot to pay attention to. Also, you should keep a close eye on your students to make sure they are always safe and studying properly. If you are interested in teaching swimming to someone, it's time for you to be a "teacher" and your students to be "learners". Then, get in the pool!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Overcome the Fear of Water
Step 1. Consider your qualifications
Ideally, students should be taught by a certified teacher, preferably a pool keeper or supervised by a pool keeper. However, swimming can be taught by ordinary people. The swimming teacher should be strong, be a good swimmer, and have skills in teaching various techniques and patience to educate in all situations.
- You will also pass on your inner swimming anxiety to your students, no matter how well your intentions are.
- Maybe you don't remember how you learned to swim. Usually, swimming is taught to young children so it's only natural that you forget lessons from years ago. Perhaps, you also only remember certain parts.
Step 2. Know that there are some outdated practice practices that shouldn't be used
Some teaching strategies are actually useless and should be avoided.
- "Sink or Swim "/spartan swimming lessons, in other words someone is forced into the deep pool (eg by being thrown). The main idea of this lesson is to force the student to struggle and fear, in the hope that his fear can be overcome and he can swim to the other side. Usually, this only reinforces the pupil's reluctance to enter the water and destroys the trust between teacher and student. Students will not swim because they like it and will not be able to be good swimmers. At worst, the student could drown.
- Using the term "sink immunity". Being able to swim doesn't mean someone can't drown. Many people who could swim died from drowning. This term is outdated and very misleading.
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Have students float or dive perfectly. Some swimming programs require students to be able to float or dive. While the two skills are well learned and complementary, students can still be great swimmers without mastering both. If your goal is to teach swimming, focus on swimming skills.
- People who are too thin and/or muscular may not float well, but can swim without problems. Many Olympic level swimmers don't float well.
- Diving requires a certain attitude, and some people struggle with some of the elements, such as keeping the feet together. However, this is not very important in normal swimming or in emergency situations.
Step 3. Get used to the water
If a person can't swim, it's natural to feel nervous about getting into the water, let alone trying to swim. The older the swimmer, the more reluctant he is to enter the water. Introduce students to swimming pool water gently, starting from shallow areas.
- Do not force students to get used to being in the water. You can't teach pedaling, floating, breathing control, and other aspects of swimming if students don't feel confident about relaxing and exploring.
- Take small steps. For people who are very afraid of water, three steps in the pool may already be a great achievement. Do what the student feels comfortable with, then increase the level one step at a time.
- You may need to hold the student's hand (as long as the student is small) so you don't get nervous.
- Very young students wearing life jackets may swim to deeper areas as long as you ensure comfort in those areas. Because toddlers cannot touch the bottom of a shallow pool, the "danger" is the same as in a deep pool. In fact, this approach prevents the “deep pool” from becoming a restricted area for students, which can sometimes make novice students nervous.
- Let the student hold on to you until he or she is ready. Let your students decide, because it can build trust between you.
Step 4. Take a cheerful approach
A relaxed and joyful approach can help ease student anxiety and increase curiosity and experimentation. This approach can also be a positive distraction. As an example:
- Provide colorful floating toys for students to reach in the water. This helps children learn to stretch their arms (rather than snuggle in fear) and think that water is a fun environment to play and explore.
- Adults may feel uneasy standing in the water, away from the pool walls. However, playing throwing a ball can distract from the anxiety caused by being away from the pool wall and create a sense of relaxation, pleasure, and security.
Step 5. Auxiliary floats should only be used occasionally
While floating aids can help build skills and confidence, students can become addicted to them
- Do not use "arm floats". It comes off easily, and limits arm movement. Swimming requires a lot of arm movement so the use of this tool is not recommended. In addition, this tool teaches natural science in the wrong water to children.
- The kickboard is very useful in teaching swimming. This device provides sufficient flotation of the arms to isolate the legs. In addition, even if it floats, students cannot fully use this tool as a support.
- " Bubble " is also often useful. This tool helps the pupil float a little better, and promotes a horizontal position in the water. As the swimmer's confidence increases, the amount of buoyancy can be reduced to the point where it is not needed at all.
Step 6. Build confidence, but don't be careless
Your job as a swimming teacher is to build beginner's confidence. This means finding the student's position, and gradually improving his skills. You also need to know the limitations of the student. Students who are not confident in being in the water for more than a few seconds should not enter the pool for long, or not at all. Students who can competently swim 91 meters freestyle may already be able to swim freely in the pool, but are not ready to enter a triathlon.
Part 2 of 4: Teaching Beginners Movement
Step 1. Practice hand movements
Sit by the pool, next to the students. Show how to move your arms from a simple swimming stroke that you might do later. Have students imitate you, and correct any mistakes made. Keep repeating this step until the styling is done correctly. To help the student practice, place your hand under the student's stomach to keep it floating.
Step 2. Practice kicks on the edge of the pool
Ask students to hold on to the side of the pool and kick their feet. Give instructions on how to kick correctly so that students feel confident when they start swimming. Perhaps, the student is easier to do it when on his back so he can see the kick directly.
Step 3. Ask students to lift their feet off the floor when they are in a shallow area
This is a huge step for some, without any handrails on the sides of the pool. Therefore, this process may be quite time consuming. Again, it is advisable to keep a hold on the pupil's hand to help him float. Pupils will try to trace the water. Show again how if the student does not know or understand how it works.
Part 3 of 4: Starting Swimming
Step 1. Take the first step in swimming
Ask the student to swim a short distance in a shallow area with as simple a style as he can. Don't push the disciples too much at this point. This could be the first time the student swam properly.
Step 2. Swim the width of the pool with the student
Maybe this will not be done immediately. In fact, it may take several practice sessions before reaching this stage. Make sure you support the student both physically and mentally.
Step 3. Have students try different swimming styles
This will help students determine which style of swimming they like best. Have students try freestyle, back, chest, and other styles you know. Don't push the students too much. Make swimming lessons fun so students want to know more.
Part 4 of 4: Entering the Deep Pool Area
Step 1. Move to the inner area
Usually, novice swimmers learn not to enter deep pools. Therefore, this area became a frightening place for students. However, competent swimmers need to be able to swim in areas where their feet cannot touch the floor. In addition, to learn some skills, such as diving, students cannot continue in shallow areas.
- Do not bring students into the deep pool area without assistance until they can swim the entire width of the pool without touching the pool floor. Swimmers must be able to swim without stopping to be eligible to enter the deep pool. Some students will stop and step on their feet regularly to make sure they are still in the shallow pool, even though they can swim far. After all, the student must be confident and strong enough to continue swimming without stopping.
- Pupils can hold on to the side of the pool and pull their body. It may take several trips to reach the end of the pool. Guide your students, and show that everything is safe, then move a little bit at a time.
- Try wearing a life jacket or other floating aid. Wading in a deep pool using a float will help build confidence. Try asking students to put on life jackets and jump into the deep pool. Thus, students learn that the deep pool is not a restricted area and is only part of the entire swimming pool
Step 2. Swim into the deep pool
When the student prepares to swim into the deep pool (which may take a long time) you should slowly lower the student carefully into the deep pool. In the beginning, stay near the edge of the pool and make sure students feel safe. In the end, the student can swim alone and your task is done successfully.
Step 3. Jump into the deep pool and swim to the other side
If the student is comfortable swimming from the shallow pool to the deep pool, the next step is to jump into the deep pool. Initially, students must get used to jumping and then holding on to the wall. Then, if jumping is no longer a challenge, encourage students to jump into the deep pool and then swim across. At this point, the student has learned the basics of swimming.
It is important to postpone this method until students are comfortable with deep pools because jumping into shallow pools is dangerous. Pupils can hit the pool floor and injure themselves
Tips
- New skills should only be taught one at a time so students don't get confused.
- Teaching swimming takes a long time. Follow the student's pace of learning, and be patient.
- You must maintain safety, calm, and often give enthusiastic praise and support.
- Don't be afraid to vary the instructions as long as it helps the student.
- An alternative approach is to skip arm movements. Keep kicking! A good kick supports good body position. Kick with a sway (noodle). When the foot kick is good, put your face in the water and blow bubbles. Switch to the kickboard and start the hand movement.
- Never force a student to do something they don't like. Starting swimming (not swimming itself) is something that students have to find a “rhythm” for themselves.
- Start with a kickboard or other non-addictive flotation device.
- Always swim in a pool guarded by a pool guard. Otherwise, the disciple could be in danger.
- Avoid using water wings or life jackets. Both tools teach bad posture.
- Maybe students should take "official" swimming classes.
- The float tire should not be used for a long time. Pupils can be overly dependent on floating aids.
Warning
- Be careful, and don't force the student to do things that make him uncomfortable.
- Never force a student physically or mentally to do something that they are not ready to do. This only increases fear and slows down the student's progress, and is a waste of your time.
- Keep up with the student's pace of learning, but try to encourage progress by giving lots of praise and support.
- Make sure the pool is guarded by a pool guard. Avoid crowded pools.
- It is always advisable to study with a certified teacher.
