Learn Flutter Kick
At least 10 meters of flutter kick with a stretched body and arms extended forward, hands resting on top of each other. Breathing is done either forward or to the side. The kick originates from the hips and thighs. This exercise can be performed in a shallow pool or deep water; however, in deep water, the child's safety must always be ensured. This exercise primarily trains the core elements of propulsion and breathing.
Preparation Exercises
Fins
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.
Flutter kick on the mat
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.
Bubble bath in prone position
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.
Häufige Fehler
Kicking from the knees
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
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.
Riding a bike
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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