Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Part 2

The 30 Minute Splash and Dash Continued...

 

          To continue from my last homework blog post, practicing outside of class time will always benefit your swimmers skills.  The homework suggestions in this post include drills for kicking, armstrokes and side breathing.  I hope you find this useful to your child’s progression.

 

 

 

 

AVAC Swim School Level or Swim Skills	Homework Suggestions to help your child develop and advance at home
Octopus or Kickers
	-  Have your child lay down stomach first on their bed.  Make sure that your swimmers legs are hanging off the edge of the bed from about the knee down.  From this position the legs should have free motion to move up and down as to mimic a kicking motion.  Cue your child up to do "Kissing feet" and make sure that they are pointing their toes.  For girls you can tell them to show you their ballerina feet and for boys Spiderman or superman feet will sometimes produce better results.  Getting creative is up to you.  Next, Cue your child to do up and down kicks.  Make sure you are watching for any bend in the knee.  Legs should be completely straight. Your child should be using their entire leg from their hamstrings down and not kicking from the knees or ankles.  Remind them to practice small, fast and tight kickers.
	- A different variation to practice kicks can also be helpful.  Try having your child sit down on their bottom with their arms behind them for support.  Tell them to lean back on their arms and bring their feet up off the ground.  Again, cue up "kissing feet" and have them point their toes.  This type of practice is great to work on back kicking and prone glide kickers.  Very similar to the drill we practiced above have your child practice the motion of kicks.  Remember to keep an eye on wiggling toes, bent knee kicks and or ankle kicking.  This drill can also be done while they are laying down flat on their back with their hands underneath their bottoms.
Sea Turtles or Armstrokes
	-  Armstrokes are relatively easy to practice outside of the water.  This isn't quite as good as being in the water, but practicing the motion of an armstroke will definitely help your child to loosen up their shoulders and practice the proper motion of an armstroke.  Practicing in front of a mirror will help.  Cue your child to do their "Bunny Ears".  From here, walk them through the motions one arm at a time.  Slowly bring one arm down in a forward motion telling them to cup their hands.  This will get them ready to scoop the water behind them, which will propel them through the water.  Make sure those fingers and together. If fingers are apart then water will simply slip through their hands and they will lose any pull and will increase the amount of work they have to do.    With those hands cupped tell your child to lower their arms so that their thumb brushes up against their leg and their palm is facing behind your child. In this position one arm should still be up above their head and reaching for the sky. The other arm will be in the opposite
	position.  Tell your child to flip their wrist behind them and continue moving their arms in a big circle motion until it comes all the way back into the starting position.  Repeat with the other arm.
	- Make a fun game of it.  You can pretend that they are scooping ice cream to make sundaes or drawing circles.  The more creative you get the more fun your child will have and the more motivated they will be to practice their armstrokes.
	-  Practice right before class and at home.  The more you practice, the easier armstrokes will be.
Porpoise or Side Breathers
	- Have your child lye on their side on the floor with their arm closest to the ground above their head to mimic a sidebreath.  Your child should be able to rest their head on their arm in this position.
	- Have your child practice "Scissor Kicks".  Your child should watch their legs open and close.  Their knees should pass each other with each kick.  Your child should be kicking with their entire leg and not from the knee.  Remember to cue them up to point their toes.
	- Side kicks should be small, compact and quick.  The same kicks they practiced on their stomachs.

 

We have many great tips to help your child practice their swimming at home.  Looking for more?  Talk to our deck supervisors at any time.

 

Happy Holidays!!

 

From the desk and mind of Chris Cordova, be safe, respect water, and have fun!