Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Coaching Tips
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004
Teaching Aquatics Skills - Stroke Development
Stroke Development Training Plan
If a swimmer is having trouble entering fingers first, hold a hoop approximately one meter from the pool edge.
Encourage swimmers to dive through the hoop, then streamlining - kick - pull one arm first as above.
This is the only scheduled practice for dives for this program; however, dives can be practiced whenever time
and pool space allow and will be used for time trial and Training Session 16 - Competition Practice.
Minimum pool depth is 1.2 meters
In-Water Starts - Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly
An in-water start is permissible at any level of competition. The swimmer must have at least one hand in contact with
the wall or starting block at the starting signal.
Dive Sequence
Coaching Tips
Swimmer holds rail on starting block or pool edge.
Swimmer faces the direction he/she intends to swim, with other hand pointing straight ahead in that direction.
Feet are curled, pressed up onto pool wall and must be kept below waterline.
On the “Go” command, the swimmer pushes strongly off wall, tucking head down and driving the holding
hand to meet up with the other, to get body in a streamlined position.
Swimmer maintains a streamlined position with the body gliding just below or on the pool surface.
Swimmer commences stroke as from the dive.
Freestyle Finish
A freestyle swimmer finishes the race when any part of the swimmer touches the wall after completing the designated
distance.
Coaching Tips
Train swimmers to reach forward and drive decisively into the wall without slowing down kick.
Practice swimming into the wall from five meters out without a breath, driving into the wall with a fully
outstretched hand.
Practice swimming into the wall from five meters out without a breath, driving into the wall, arm fully
outstretched with body on slight lateral position.
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