Activity
Mastering the Freestyle Arm Stroke
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 2
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 3
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 3
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 4
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 4
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 5
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 5
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 6
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 6
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 7
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 7
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 8
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 8
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 9
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 9
Skill: Sports for All
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 10
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 11
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Class 12
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Nursery
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: KG
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: Pre Nursery
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: LKG
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Class: UKG
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Swimming
Technique: Arm stroke (pull and recovery)
Mastering the Freestyle Arm Stroke
Learning Outcomes
Understand the key components of the freestyle arm stroke.
Practice a smooth and efficient arm pull underwater.
Combine arm movements with body rotation for streamlined swimming.
Description Of Activity
This lesson focuses on mastering the basic arm stroke for freestyle swimming, also known as front crawl.
Land Practice (10 minutes):
Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart.
Explain the arm stroke sequence:
Reach: One arm extends forward with a straight elbow, reaching past your head.
High Elbow Catch: Bend the reaching arm at the elbow, forming a high elbow position near your head.
Pull: Pull the water towards your chest with a strong but controlled motion, keeping the elbow high.
Push: Push the remaining water back with your hand, ending with your palm facing down by your hip.
Recovery: Relax your arm and allow it to recover above the water, returning to the starting position for another reach.
Demonstrate the entire sequence slowly, emphasizing each step.
Students practice the arm stroke sequence on land, focusing on smooth transitions and high elbow position during the pull.
Shallow Water Practice (15 minutes):
Move to a shallow area of the pool where students can comfortably stand with their heads above water.
Instruct students to hold onto the pool wall with one hand for balance.
Practice the arm stroke sequence underwater, focusing on the high elbow catch and a strong pull towards the chest.
Encourage students to keep their bodies straight and rotate slightly with each arm pull (twisting their torso for a more streamlined movement).
Streamlined Glide (10 minutes):
Instruct students to take a deep breath and push off from the wall while streamlining their bodies (head down, arms extended in front).
Practice the arm stroke sequence underwater, focusing on coordinating arm movements with a slight body rotation for a smoother glide.
Students can gradually increase the glide distance with each repetition.
Safety Note:
Ensure all students are comfortable in the water and under adult supervision throughout the lesson.
Additional Tips:
Make the lesson fun! Play upbeat music or incorporate games with pool noodles to keep students engaged.
Introduce breathing techniques once students are comfortable with the basic arm stroke (future lesson).
Remember, progress at the student's pace. Celebrate small victories and prioritize fun and water safety.
Variations
Partner Practice: Students practice the arm stroke sequence facing a partner in shallow water, providing feedback on form and high elbow position. Roles can be switched.
Pool Noodle Drill: Students hold a pool noodle between their legs while practicing the arm stroke sequence. This helps maintain body position and encourages core engagement.
Coaching Tips
Break it down: Focus on each step of the arm stroke sequence: reach, high elbow catch, pull, push, and recovery. Demonstrate and explain them clearly.
High elbow focus: Emphasize the importance of maintaining a high elbow position during the pull for a more efficient stroke.
Body rotation: Introduce the concept of body rotation with each arm pull, helping students understand how it creates a streamlined movement.
Visualize the sequence: Encourage students to visualize the entire arm stroke sequence underwater.
Individual feedback: Observe students and provide personalized feedback to improve their technique.
Equipment/Material Required