Beginners Swimming Lesson 2

Lesson Summary

Skill Development Stabilising while upright feet off the ground

to lift our feet off the ground and make shapes in the water.

L Describe what it means to lift their feet off the pool floor

N Count how many times in a row you can lift your feet off the pool floor without support

NC Develop basic shapes in the water, showing some balance and control

✔︎ Lifting feet off the ground

✔︎ Assuming a prone position (on the front)

Stretch your arms out and hold onto the wall or a float for support
Tuck your knees gently under your body
Let your head drop forward slightly (but it’s okay to keep it up if you’re not ready to put your face in the water)
Push your feet back and point your toes to help you glide

NB If the swimmer is not confident yet to put their face in the water head out is fine.

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✔︎ Assuming a supine position (on the back)

Hold onto the side of the pool or a float for support if needed
Gently lay your head back so it rests in the water, with your ears submerged and face above the surface
Keep your eyes looking up at the ceiling or sky to help keep your head in the right position
Relax your neck and shoulders, as tension can make floating harder
Stretch your arms out to the side or keep them close to your body if you feel more confident
Lift your hips towards the surface by imagining your belly button rising
Keep your legs long and close together, with toes slightly pointed upward

An image accompanying this article.

Remind children of poolside safety rules.
Recap how they moved through the water last time: walking, running, bounding, bouncing, striding, sidestepping, etc.

How to Play:

Put children into teams of 2 or 3 and label them A, B, and C.
Scatter floating equipment across the pool.
On your signal, swimmer A from each team chooses a way to travel (e.g. stride) and collects one float to bring back.
Then swimmer B goes, followed by C, and so on.
Only one swimmer per team is allowed in the water at a time. One float per turn.

Extension:

Everyone must travel the same way, as chosen by the teacher (e.g. hop, bounce, stride).

Lifting feet off the ground while supported

Give each swimmer space along the poolside, spaced safely apart.
Start by asking swimmers to lift one foot, then the other, while holding the side.
As they grow more confident, they can try bouncing, tucking feet up, or moving legs in different directions.
While still holding the side, ask them to try a front (prone) or back (supine) float with their face out of the water.
Challenge them to release one hand and hold on with the other.

Extension:

Confident swimmers can try letting go of the wall completely and lift both feet off the floor while using a float or noodle for support.
Encourage them to try short moments of balance in a tuck or star shape while floating.

Making Shapes

Using swimming aids like arm bands, floats, or noodles, encourage swimmers to try different shapes with their feet off the pool floor:

Extension: