In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.
Use a pool noodle to make the exercise easier (see image). This allows the learner to focus on the kick and the water feel in their legs. However, note that the pool noodle enables the child to straighten up and lower their hips without sinking. Ensure the child keeps their gaze upward, tilts their chin back, and pushes their hips up. Limit the use of the pool noodle when practicing on the back.
This exercise should already be familiar from the previous course. If you don’t recall, please click on the image of this exercise, where the "bubble bath" is linked. In summary: The child sits on the steps of the children's pool with their legs about halfway submerged. In the first step, the legs and feet are extended. Then the child slowly moves their extended legs up and down, gradually increasing the strength of the kick while keeping the legs fully extended.
A useful tool is the kickboard. Place the forearms and hands flat on it, but avoid gripping the front edge to prevent tension and ensure the body remains extended. In addition to the kickboard, other tools like pull buoys can be used. Start with a highly buoyant object and gradually transition to smaller ones until the child can eventually swim without support.
For significant difficulties with water feel, when the child struggles with the kick despite having straight legs and relaxed feet, I recommend practicing with fins. Fins help facilitate the correct foot position by providing a stronger response from the water. Start with a mat and a kickboard. Use short fins that are only slightly longer than the foot, as the movement with long fins is different and less suitable for this purpose.
Ideally, use a swim mat, or alternatively, a pool noodle placed under the chest and armpits. A mat is preferable, as a pool noodle can affect the body position in the water. The legs should be free in the water. With the mat, the child practices the freestyle leg kick, focusing solely on isolating the water feel. Without concentrating on body tension or breathing, the child can explore how to move their feet effectively to propel forward in the water.
Place the forearms shoulder-width apart on a step, then fully extend the legs and feet. Start with a gentle kick that gradually becomes stronger while keeping the legs consistently straight. In this exercise, children focus solely on maintaining straight legs. This movement should become automatic before progressing to the "motorboat" exercise, where body tension and breathing also come into play.
The child stands on the floor of a waist-deep pool, extending both arms forward with hands placed on top of each other. Hold your child’s hands and walk slowly backward, pulling the child forward. As you begin pulling, the child lifts their legs off the floor, takes a breath, and places their face in the water between their arms. This exercise practices stretching in a prone position and holding their breath. Additionally, the child experiences water resistance, similar to the feeling during the gliding phase later on.
Die Übung zielt darauf ab, Kindern ein Gefühl für die Bewegung mit gestreckten Beinen zu vermitteln. Legen Sie eine Schwimmmatte an Land aus, auf der das Kind in Bauchlage liegt und versucht, die gestreckten Beine anzuheben. Zeigen Sie die Übung vor und seien Sie hartnäckig, da viele Kinder anfangs Fehler machen. Betonen Sie die langsame Ausführung – drei Sekunden für jedes Bein. Falls nötig, helfen Sie, indem Sie das Bein mit beiden Händen am Ober- und Unterschenkel unterstützen. Beachten Sie, dass Schwierigkeiten an Land die Umsetzung im Wasser erschweren können.
Place a ping pong ball in the water in front of the child. The goal is to move the ball to the other side of the pool by blowing on it. The child will quickly realize that they need to keep their head close to the ball and near the water's surface to move it efficiently. After a few rounds, you can encourage the child to blow into the water, creating bubbles.
The "hammer" is a common swimming mistake where water is pushed backward exclusively from the knees. While some children may initially make quick progress using this technique, it becomes much harder to correct this bad habit later and teach proper freestyle technique. Despite enabling movement, the hammer technique is ineffective in the long term, especially for freestyle swimming. Exercises like the "bubble bath" are used to prevent the hammer and encourage proper kicking form.
The most common mistake in kicking is initiating the movement from the knees instead of the thighs and hips, with the legs remaining bent. This error significantly impacts exercises that build on this core skill. A proper kick is essential for both backstroke and freestyle swimming. An incorrect kick not only reduces propulsion but also disrupts the overall body position in the water.
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