Hello!
Next weekend I will try to get two friends to learn how to swim freestyle. I have been swimming for 25 years and have never faced the challenge to teach freestyle to total beginners.
Where to start? What drills works best?
Very greatful for all tips you might have!
cheers!
/Per
Parents
Former Member
One of the local teams in our area has great success in teaching freestyle by starting with kicking on the side. Breathing is easy when you are on your side. A little trick. Often newbies don't find it *that* easy to find this breathing position. They sometimes feel they sink.
In this case, just tell them to almost flip on the back (first) then gradually adopt a side-ish position:
YouTube - Free Style Side Kick
Then as you mention, you can alternate between side, and front position using one arm:
YouTube - Free Style Side Kicking to 1 Arm Drill
Some like to use the flip drill to teach how to rotate. Personally I don't use it on a regular basis, but this may help:
YouTube - Free Style Flip Drill
An other tip, practice these drills yourself before attempting to teach them (just in case).
One of the local teams in our area has great success in teaching freestyle by starting with kicking on the side. Breathing is easy when you are on your side. A little trick. Often newbies don't find it *that* easy to find this breathing position. They sometimes feel they sink.
In this case, just tell them to almost flip on the back (first) then gradually adopt a side-ish position:
YouTube - Free Style Side Kick
Then as you mention, you can alternate between side, and front position using one arm:
YouTube - Free Style Side Kicking to 1 Arm Drill
Some like to use the flip drill to teach how to rotate. Personally I don't use it on a regular basis, but this may help:
YouTube - Free Style Flip Drill
An other tip, practice these drills yourself before attempting to teach them (just in case).
