Gerald, 58, came to me and practically begged me to teach him how to swim. He is new in our community and had been watching me swim while he lifted weights in the gym. Although Gerald used to fool around in the water with his identical twin brother when they were kids, he had only swum underwater and never learned any of the strokes.
Well, Gerald recently heard from his brother that he learned how to swim. To rub salt in the wound further, Gerald's brother bragged about swimming at hotel pools when they travel. :blah: Needless to say, Gerald is highly motivated to catch up to his brother, especially before bro comes to visit Gerald and his wife here in the community.
Although I have taught two people how to swim, I am not a certified instructor, but I have been using the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation Adult-Learn-To-Swim Volunteer Teacher Swim Lesson Guide.
We started just three weeks ago, and here is a video from today's 7th lesson:
www.youtube.com/watch
(Although he has also added breathing, this video shows his stroke better.)
As you can see, when he is kicking and moving forward, he is able to stay on the surface. The thing is, he can't float! This former football player is solid muscle, and he sinks like a rock! Seriously. Air in the lungs? Check. Chin and belly up? Check. Shoulders and lungs pressed back? Check. Relaxed? Check. He is very comfortable underwater, so he doesn't mind going under, but he won't rise to the surface once he's down! On a push off the wall and a "Superman" glide, he looks great-- until he comes to a complete stop on the BOTTOM of the pool (which is 5 feet deep). He'll just lay there until he runs out of breath. When he does stand up, we both just laugh!
This guy is DEDICATED and wants swimming to become his main fitness focus. He has practiced every single day since our first lesson in late May, and he is determined. Between his dedication, determination, size 15 feet, and long fingers; I think he'll be a really good swimmer. In fact, I told him if he keeps up the good work, I'll bring him with me to compete at the Georgia Senior Olympics, in September! :cheerleader:
Any ideas on how I can get Gerald to float without supporting him? :help: He even sinks with my pull buoy! :bouncing:
he looks strong and eager. He wants to BEAT his BROTHER.
1st
Have him do a 25 freestyle as fast as he can for time, time him with a stop watch or your iphone.
TELL him to swim as fast as you can and DON'T give him any other instructions.
Get his time.
Also Watch him swim and look for easy things to correct.
Let him REST.
Give him a few short simple instructions on how to swim faster
THEN have him RACE another 25 freestyle for time.
Compare the times.
Don't tell him this stuff until after he does his 1st 25 for time.
1st Get him to wear a jammer and not that baggy suit.
2nd Teach him how to do a proper push off streamline glide into a breakout, he started swimming about 5 or 6 feet off the wall and should glide 12 to 15 feet before he takes his 1st stroke. He should do a correct push off EVERY time he pushes off the wall
3rd have him watch and copy the most graceful freestyle youtube video
4th his legs sink because he's not kicking properly, he should copy the kick in the youtube
There's more. Keep it simple and progressive.
he looks strong and eager. He wants to BEAT his BROTHER.
1st
Have him do a 25 freestyle as fast as he can for time, time him with a stop watch or your iphone.
TELL him to swim as fast as you can and DON'T give him any other instructions.
Get his time.
Also Watch him swim and look for easy things to correct.
Let him REST.
Give him a few short simple instructions on how to swim faster
THEN have him RACE another 25 freestyle for time.
Compare the times.
Don't tell him this stuff until after he does his 1st 25 for time.
1st Get him to wear a jammer and not that baggy suit.
2nd Teach him how to do a proper push off streamline glide into a breakout, he started swimming about 5 or 6 feet off the wall and should glide 12 to 15 feet before he takes his 1st stroke. He should do a correct push off EVERY time he pushes off the wall
3rd have him watch and copy the most graceful freestyle youtube video
4th his legs sink because he's not kicking properly, he should copy the kick in the youtube
There's more. Keep it simple and progressive.
