Swim instructors and coaches: What do you think about the the progress this swimmer has made? I am neither a swim instructor or a coach; however, this 24 year old watched me swim one day and said he wanted to learn to swim just like me. :bighug: Awwww, I just couldn't resist! He is the second person who practically pleaded for me to teach them how to swim.
Billy is a Korean college student who came here on a student visa and barely spoke English. When I first met him in January, he didn't understand a word I said. Since I started working with him during the summer, he has improved both his English and his swimming quite dramatically. Billy has gone from barely being able to swim at all to this in nine lessons:
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He has learned to breathe on both sides; this is his left side breathing:
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Billy has also improved the path of his arms from swinging very wide to a narrower pull:
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Sure, there are a lot of improvements that still need to be made; however, I think he has improved quickly in just nine lessons. Today, I timed him on a 25 yard sprint and he came in at 19 seconds from a weak push off.
So, what do you think? Is his improvement typical for someone his age or is he progressing at a fast rate? I am hoping to convince him to join USMS and compete in some meets with me after the spring semester. He loves to swim and I think he would have a blast.
Great job! I taught a 25 year old to swim last year, but she didn't progress that much through ten lessons. I think getting the hang of side breathing is the tricky part...if they get comfortable with that, then the rest is cake (assuming the instructor is decent). Advancing to competitive levels is another story, of course. Keep up the good work coach! :)
Thanks G! The key to Billy getting the hang of side breathing was getting ear plugs! As soon as he wasn't bothered by water getting in his ear, he was able to get his face down on the water with no problem.
As for competing, I think I will first start with a fast open turn. I'm not sure I want to even go there with a flip turn just yet, especially since I have meniere's and get seasick doing too many flip turns. Teaching him would be more of a challenge for ME than it would for HIM! :eek:
Starts would have to wait, as well, since we do not have dive blocks at our shallow community pool.
Great job! I taught a 25 year old to swim last year, but she didn't progress that much through ten lessons. I think getting the hang of side breathing is the tricky part...if they get comfortable with that, then the rest is cake (assuming the instructor is decent). Advancing to competitive levels is another story, of course. Keep up the good work coach! :)
Thanks G! The key to Billy getting the hang of side breathing was getting ear plugs! As soon as he wasn't bothered by water getting in his ear, he was able to get his face down on the water with no problem.
As for competing, I think I will first start with a fast open turn. I'm not sure I want to even go there with a flip turn just yet, especially since I have meniere's and get seasick doing too many flip turns. Teaching him would be more of a challenge for ME than it would for HIM! :eek:
Starts would have to wait, as well, since we do not have dive blocks at our shallow community pool.
