During the student’s first lesson, I assess the student’s skill level. I do this by testing their floating, gliding, buoyancy, kicking, treading water, and swimming skills, as well as the tenseness of their body. I prioritize the skills that are important for that particular student and come up with a plan for his/her lessons.
The following is the order in which I teach the various swim skills and strokes:
The Basics / Typical Beginner Lesson Plan:
- Assess the student’s skill level
- Floating on the front and back
- Proper prone and supine positions in preparation of using the freestyle and backstroke
- Gliding
- Kicking (prone and supine positions)
Intermediate to Advanced Skills Lesson Plan:
- Explain importance of accurate, elegant swimming
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
- Treading water
- Elementary backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Sidestroke
- Diving (beginning and advanced)
- Perfecting the various swim strokes
- Distance swimming & flip turns