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In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.
The child ideally uses a pull buoy or a kickboard between their legs and performs a backstroke simultaneous arm pull. This means both arms move in sync, rotating and pushing the water backward simultaneously. This exercise helps improve water displacement during the arm stroke. As mentioned earlier, the backstroke in this core exercise is still a beginner's version and differs significantly from the backstroke used by competitive swimmers. In this early form, most propulsion for children comes from the legs. However, it is important for them to at least try to push the water backward with their arms. The arms should first pull the water, and once they pass the shoulders, transition into a push phase.
The child swims on their back, as in the core exercise "Otter Swimming," occasionally attempting an arm stroke. For each arm stroke, at least eight flutter kicks are performed before switching to the other arm. In the early stages, arm strokes can significantly disrupt a child's water position. Many children try to replicate the land exercise as quickly as possible, resulting in wild, uncontrolled arm movements. By limiting the number of arm strokes, the water position remains stable, allowing the child to fully focus on executing each arm stroke correctly.
First, the backstroke arm pull should be practiced on land. To start, both arms are placed at the sides of the body. Begin with one arm. The extended arm rotates clockwise. The palm faces inward initially. Halfway up, when the arm is at a 90-degree angle to the body, the palm is rotated outward. When the arm reaches its highest point, the upper body rotates from the shoulder in the direction of the arm. With the shoulder rotation, the hand is further turned so that the palm faces backward at the highest point. The hand remains in this position, meaning that halfway down, the palm faces the ground. Once this exercise has been practiced with one arm, move to the other arm, and in a later step, use both arms together (see image). The explanation for this land exercise is already very detailed. As a first step, it’s a good achievement if the coordination with both arms and the outward rotation of the hand when it is in front of the body works correctly. Shoulder rotation will be thoroughly practiced in the upcoming courses.
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Many children focus all their attention on the newly learned arm stroke, which often causes them to forget about their kick, leading their legs to sink. However, the kick is crucial as it provides the necessary stability in the water, enabling proper arm movements. In this early phase, the kick also serves as the primary source of propulsion. To address this issue, exercises with a limited number of arm strokes are helpful. Additionally, you can suggest an alternative exercise where your child moves their arms in slow motion while putting all their effort into the kick. Make sure to extensively practice "otter swimming" before moving on to backstroke.
Many children jump into the water after practicing on land and immediately get overly excited. This often results in their arms flailing uncontrollably and without coordination, disrupting their balance in the water. Ultimately, they end up completely exhausted, clinging to the pool edge after just a few meters. To address this issue, the preparatory exercise with minimal arm strokes is very effective. Additionally, you can encourage your child to swim in slow motion with their arms while focusing on strong, consistent kicking with their legs.
