Hi, I taught swim lessons many years ago and am now trying to teach a friend of mine to swim. She is a cyclist who wants to do a tri. She is a complete beginner, she can dog paddle and thats it. Where do I start?? I use to teach kids and you would start with the " Missle" float...then add the kick...then the arms. I know there are some much more experienced teachers out there and was hoping for some guidance...drills etc. Thanks! Paul
I'm a big fan of kicking on your side drills (after the above mentioned breath control and balance/streamline drills). You may have to impress the importance of a small fast kick (from the hips with just a little knee bend) as opposed to big wide kicks from the knee down first. Then, progressing to kicking on each side (arm out front--turning head for a breath). If your student has real trouble with this fins will help at the beginning. Then doing some kind of 6 kicks a side drill (switching with a freestyle arm stroke--head down). Then a three strokes and pause 3 seconds kicking on side and breathing to establish an alternate breathing pattern.
Anything to get the swimmer swimming long-axis and not doggie paddling.
I'm a big fan of kicking on your side drills (after the above mentioned breath control and balance/streamline drills). You may have to impress the importance of a small fast kick (from the hips with just a little knee bend) as opposed to big wide kicks from the knee down first. Then, progressing to kicking on each side (arm out front--turning head for a breath). If your student has real trouble with this fins will help at the beginning. Then doing some kind of 6 kicks a side drill (switching with a freestyle arm stroke--head down). Then a three strokes and pause 3 seconds kicking on side and breathing to establish an alternate breathing pattern.
Anything to get the swimmer swimming long-axis and not doggie paddling.
