Dear user.
We designed Learning swimming techniques at the basic level for swim teachers, coaches and swim educators to increase their knowledge and help them work with beginners.
Once beginners become familiar with the water, they can proceed with learning three competitive swimming techniques such as front crawl, breaststroke, and backstroke at the basic level. The acquisition of swimming techniques is gradual and has developmentally ordered sequences. We use three sequences model in the system of swimming education in Slovenia. These sequences are hierarchical, with the BASIC level less consolidated than the ADVANCED level and even less than the COMPETITIVE level.
Learning front crawl, breaststroke, and backstroke at the basic level usually form the basis for the non-swimmer or novice swimmer programme. However, we should emphasise that:
- the primary focus of the learn-to-swim programme for non-swimmers should not be the acquisition of the above techniques. The primary goal of swimming instruction is to prevent drowning (Stallman, Junge, & Blixt, 2008). Therefore, learning the aforementioned techniques only indirectly supports the acquisition of water safety skills or the prevention of drowning.
- there are also many other strokes (due to the different body position, kicking, arm stroke, and coordination of the whole stroke ) that we can teach as basic swimming, i.e., a specific coordination of the movements of the limbs and the whole body, as well as the integration of effective breathing that promotes effective movement in the water (Stallman, 2014).
- notwithstanding the fact that competitive techniques are defined by technical rules, swimming at this level should not be considered by mistakes and in a way that you swim properly.
In the learning process, the basic level of the aforementioned techniques is the next step after dog paddling, breaststroke with the head up, and elementary backstroke. For each technique, there are certain basics that beginners should acquire. Therefore, the technique is simplified so that they can focus on these basics and learn them more easily:
- The greatest difficulty in learning the front crawl is mastering the coordination of breathing and stroking. By using a straight arm during the stroke and recovery above water, this coordination can be achieved with less difficulty for beginners.
- In breaststroke, the movements of both arms and legs must be simultaneous, symmetrical, and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement, and the feet must be turned outward during the push-off. Each stroke cycle should be followed by a glide. Most beginners are able to do this with the wedge kick. Therefore, the position of the knees relative to the position of the feet is not important at this stage of learning.
- The biggest challenge in learning backstroke is maintaining proper body position. Therefore, beginners should focus on proper head and hip position. This is more easily achieved if the learner swims with the arm extended rather than bending the arm during the stroke.
The technical elements of the various swimming techniques are taught in the following order (Amateur Swimming Association, 1977; Thomas, 2005):
- Body position. The learner should be able to assume and maintain a flat, steady, streamlined
position. This provides a minimum of resistance and thus allows maximum forward
movement.
- Leg action or kicking. In most swimming techniques, the primary function of leg action is to
achieve and maintain a horizontal body position. For this reason, it is important to learn
effective leg action in the early stages of learning swimming techniques. Once the horizontal
position is achieved, the legs can assume their role as a possible propulsion aid for the arms.
The legs also serve to balance the arm action and make the overall technique more effective.
- Arm action or arm stroking. The main propulsion force in almost all techniques comes from
the arm movements.
- Breathing is coordinated with the arm movements. The peculiarity of swimming compared to
land-based activities is that breathing is strictly technique-dependent. Breathing in swimming
mechanics and frequency is synchronised with arm movements. In all swimming techniques
except backstroke, exhalation occurs underwater and thus against greater resistance than in
air.
- Timing refers to the relationship or coordination between leg and arm movements and
breathing. Ideally, perfect coordination of arms and legs results in smooth progress with
nearly constant propulsion and minimal changes in tempo.
The acquisition of the individual elements begins with drills on dry land and continues with drills in water (Figure 1):
- in standing position in the shallow water,
- on the edge of the pool,
- during walking in the shallow water,
- in pairs,
- with floating aids,
- without any help.
Summary of the progression of the swimming techniques acquisition. In the literature you will find several different names for the drills presented on the website. We have
tried to be consistent in naming the drills. When naming drills that are performed on land or
at/above the edge of the pool or in shallow water or on the wall or from the starting block, the
location where the exercise is performed is described first, then the position and/or movement of the
learner, and finally the record of the exercise. When naming exercises performed while swimming,
only the exercise is described.
The website Learning swimming techniques at the basic level offers 188 drills with 247 video clips. It
is designed for mobile devices such as phones and tablets. Therefore, the website can be a useful tool
for swimming teachers in their work with students. The content of the website is based on the
practical experience of many swimming teachers and coaches. We by no means claim that the drills
described are exclusive, nor should they be followed completely. However, we believe that the site
offers advice and guidance to all those who wish to improve their knowledge of swimming and their
effectiveness as swimming teachers.
- Amateur Swimming Association. (1977). The teaching of swimming. London: Educational
Productions.
- Stallman, R. K. (2014). Which stroke first? No stroke first! International Journal of Aquatic
Research and Education, 8(1), 1-4.
- Stallman, R. K., Moran, K., Quan, L., & Langendorfer, S. (2017). From swimming skill to water
competence: Towards a more inclusive drowning prevention future. International Journal of
Aquatic Research and Education, 10(2) 1-35.
- Thomas, D. (2005). Swimming: Steps to success. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Authors: Jernej Kapus, Dorica Šajber and Igor Štirn
Performers: Žana Štirn, Jošt Suhadolc
Camera operators: Jernej Kapus, Dorica Šajber and Igor Štirn
Computer graphic and programming: Matej Lekše
Video editing: Jernej Kapus, Rok Vertič and Stanko Štuhec
Translation from Slovene to English: Lara Lavrič, Petra Bilíčková, Tino Zimmermann, Jere Hannu Knaapia, and Jernej Kapus
Reviewer: Venceslav Kapus
Publisher: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport
Publication Date: February 2023
All material (video clips and text) is the property of the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport. The University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport owns the copyright to these video clips. Therefore, they may not be reproduced, edited or published in other media.
Contact: jernej.kapus@fsp.uni-lj.si
Jernej Kapus, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Gortanova 22, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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