Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Teaching Aquatics Skills – Learn to Swim
Push and Glide
Teaching Points - Push and Glide with Recovery – Using Two Kickboards
Using two kickboards, the athlete uses the same technique as with one kickboard.
Teaching Points - Push and Glide with Recovery – Assisted
Athletes who are not yet able to accomplish the push and glide independently can use the same technique as the
kickboard methods. However, the coach will provide upper body support to the athletes, as they reach their feet towards
the pool bottom.
Coaching Tips
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The arms must be straight, with the palms of the hands facing the pool bottom.
As soon as the arm push is started, the head starts to lift.
1. Keeping the arms straight, push them down toward the
bottom of the pool.
2. Draw knees up and under the body while lifting the head.
3. Straighten legs and stand on the bottom of the pool.
Athletes should not try to stand too soon. Wait until the body has moved completely to the vertical position.
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004