Beginners Swimming Lesson 2

Lesson Summary

Learning Intentions

  • Lift feet from the ground while supported
  • Begin to lift feet and make shapes independently

Skill Development Stabilising while upright feet off the ground

Success Criteria

  • I can hold on to the side and lift up my feet
  • I can try and lift my feet up when walking and moving around the pool
  • I can make shapes in the water

We are learning...

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

Curriculum Links

L Describe what it means to lift their feet off the ground

N Count the number of consecutive times they can lift their feet off the ground

NC Develop basic shapes in the water showing some balance

Equipment

  • Floats
  • Noodles

Key Questions

  • How do you keep your balance in the water when making shapes?
  • If you are floating on your back, where do your ears need to be?
  • What was your best shape?

Teaching Points

✔︎ Lifting feet of ground

  • Raise knees towards the body
  • Push off floor gently
  • Keep head up looking forward
  • Point toes

Teaching Points

✔︎ Assuming a prone position (on the front)

  • Arms outstretched on wall/float support
  • Draw knees under the body
  • Drop head forward slightly
  • Push feet back and point toes

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

An image accompanying this article.

Teaching Points

✔︎ Assuming a supine position (on the back)

  • Hands in a wide grasp holding the side / or float
  • Lay head back in the water (ears submerged)
  • Bring knees up towards tummy
  • Extend legs, toes pointing
  • Push stomach up
  • As confidence grows, encourage arms to come close to the side of the head

An image accompanying this article.

Lesson Content

Starter Activity

Before starting the lesson, remind children of the safety rules around the pool.

Recap: Remind children of the different ways they travelled through the water last lesson: Walking, running, bounding, bouncing, striding, side step etc.

How to play:

  • Group the children together in small teams of 2 or 3, number the swimmers A, B and C.
  • Scatter floating equipment around the swimming area.
  • On the teacher’s command, the first swimmer, using the travel action of their choice, e.g stride, collects a floating object which they bring back to their team’s poolside, then the next swimmer goes.
  • Only one swimmer per team can be out collecting objects at any one time and swimmers may only collect one object at a time.

Extension: Swimmers must travel in a specific way, e.g. hop, bounce, stride, so all pupils are doing the same when traveling out to the floating equipment.

Assessment for Learning 1

Lifting feet off the ground while supported

  • Give each swimmer a side of the pool ensuring they are not too close to others
  • Start with simple instructions lifting one foot then the other as they grow in confidence can they bounce and tuck feet up, jump and move legs in different directions
  • Still holding on to the side can they attempt a prone and supine position (face out of water)
  • Can they release a hand and hold on with one?

Extension: Where swimmers are confident can they use each other for support where one is standing on the bottom and the other moving and floating with feet off the ground using a partner for support.

Assessment for Learning 2

Making Shapes

With the support of swimming aids which might consist of arms bands, floats and noodles. Encourage the swimmers to try a variety of shapes in the water with feet off the floor for example

  • Star
  • Straight
  • Tucked
  • Scissors

Extension: Can they adapt and perform these shapes in both prone and supine positions