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
Stretch and pull
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.
Flutter kick land exercise
The exercise aims to help children develop a sense of movement with straight legs. Place a swim mat on land, where the child lies on their stomach and tries to lift their straight legs. Demonstrate the exercise and be persistent, as many children make mistakes at first. Emphasize slow execution—three seconds for each leg. If necessary, assist by supporting the leg with both hands on the thigh and lower leg. Keep in mind that difficulties on land can make execution in the water more challenging.
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.
