Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Teaching Aquatics Skills - Stroke Development
Freestyle/Front Crawl
Teaching the Freestyle/Front Crawl
In order for the athlete to achieve an almost horizontal and streamlined body position, the athlete should be confident
enough to have his/her face in the water. Breathing is best left until the stroke basics are mastered.
Practice full stroke without breathing
Teaching Points
1. Hold head so that the athlete can see forward and slightly downward.
Coaching Tips
Stabilize kickboard or pull swimmer through the water as they kick, if necessary.
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Demonstrate to the swimmer a streamlined body position.
Swimmer stands out of water in a streamlined position.
Encourage the swimmer to be as streamlined as possible with hips high in water.
Teaching Body Position
Practice push and glide
Teaching Points
1. Push from the wall with strong legs.
2. Stretch long and thin.
3. Ears between the arms.
Teaching Leg Action
Practice legs only at side of pool
Teaching Points
1. Up and down movements of the legs.
2. Kick from the hips.
3. Long straight legs.
Practice legs only with a flotation device under each arm
Teaching Points
1. Keep legs close together.
2. Fingers grip end of the floats and knuckles touching.
3. Up and down action.
Practice legs only, holding one float, arms fully extended
Teaching Points
1. Long straight legs.
2. Feet turned slightly inward.
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004