Swimming Guidance learn/teach skills Module 12 of 16 Kick with Arms over the Broomstick .... post 49

The ‘broomstick’ is a very versatile floatable swimming aid which we learn to control. The weight and strength of an adult is not sufficient to easily push and hold these two bottles down under the water. This marvellous swimming aid supports all ages at the surface of the water without causing fear of submerging, except by choice. This aid is safe to use for all ages  

Always supervise use of ‘the broomstick’ when in use by infants and small children who might let go with their hands or arms. Support everyone during the orientation and early learning stages of learning to kick to prevent the body from sinking down under the water

Additional restrictive ‘floatation aids’ should not be attached to anybody at any time as this defeats the objective of learning to swim independently and ‘freely’

http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2013/11/swimming-aids.html post 14

Learning/Teaching swimming on the ‘broomstick’ is the first step towards becoming independent of support, our first step towards learning to and experiencing swimming ‘freely’

In a standing depth we can place the arms over the ‘broomstick’ to fit comfortably under the shoulders. The solid ‘broomstick’ supports the body across the chest. We can manoeuvre the ‘broomstick’ by pushing or pulling our shoulders from side to side when we turn around. We use our legs which will automatically manoeuvre to either turn around toward the left or the right

As we move forwards off of a solid footing our legs are free over deeper water to kick to stay on top of the water and to propel ourselves forwards to wherever we want to move to on the surface of the water. Continuous kicking of the legs is stimulated to prevent them from falling down under the water

Unconsciously we learn to lift the hips without trying to teach ‘the obvious’. This places the body in the correct position for swimming on the surface of the water. This action stimulates use of our ‘core muscles’. We manage our own ability and safety

Initially, with the arms over the ‘broomstick’ and around the neck to re assure ability we stimulate self confidence.

 

We progress to support of and use the ‘hand holding technique’ then progress to merely being within reach to re-assure ability and skill with the arms over the ‘broomstick’. We only use our legs for propulsion

http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-necessity-of-legs-only-during-basic.html post 46

Encourage and ‘praise’ for each and every independent skill action. Be aware that at this stage all support is either under the shoulders or the hands. On the ‘broomstick’ all support is either under the shoulders or by using the hands only .... the body is free at all times. This link is a gentle reminder ....

http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/02/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills_21.html  post 47

We can now co-ordinate our breathing in and breathing out ‘bubbling blowing’ skills. We lift the head when we breath in to put the face in the water to blow ‘moo’ bubbles

©      Set short term goals for short term achievements. Stand further away from the ‘broomstick’ and encourage kicking to reach your hands

©      Slowly move backwards in a circle to encourage continuous kicking and continuous attempts to reach your hands. Motivate constant challenges which reach constant achievements

©      Slowly move backwards to each end of the swimming pool to touch the wall. The shoulders will activate turns so that kicking continues towards another end of the swimming pool. ‘Without teaching the obvious’ we learn to lead with the shoulders, use our joints. These skills are invaluable for advanced swimming skills and strokes

©      Be within reach to motivate kicking back to and recovering a standing position in a standing depth. This skill teaches ‘without teaching the obvious’ to recover the feet from a swimming (horizontal) position on top of the water

©      Rhythmically and continuously open wide big breath to blow bubbles while kicking

©      Place toys along the floor of the swimming pool to identify by colour or shape as we propel ourselves across the surface of the water

We are having so much fun. We are too skilled to think about being afraid of water depth. We do not want the lesson to end

We now progress to the last stage of being supported in the water, holding the ‘broomstick’ with our hands. We are supporting ourselves. Each direction we propel ourselves by kicking, each turn is completely our choice.

                                     
                                       

Stretch the arms out forwards as though pushing the ‘broomstick’ away from the face. Co-ordinate breathing in and blowing ‘moo’ bubbles out into the water.

Observations

 

©      Only the hands hold the ‘broomstick’

©      Bubbles are expelled long and explosively

©      Eyes are open under the water

©      The body is horizontal on the surface of the water

©      The arms and body are stable, not rocking, as though separate from the legs

©      Luca looks comfortable in the water

We have learned many more life skills. Those already learned are greatly developed and progressed. We are more independent, self confident, have self esteem. We can participate in the water with all ages. We can play games and have more fun!

Most important is that we have learned to be cautious, know our boundaries and abilities, be safe in and around water ....