In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.
Use a swim noodle to make the exercise easier (see picture). This allows the learner to concentrate on the leg stroke and the feeling of water in the legs. Note, however, that the swim noodle allows the child to straighten up and lower the hip without sinking. Make sure that the gaze is directed upwards, the chin is placed back and the hip is pushed upwards. However, limit the use of the swimming noodle on your back.
This exercise should already be familiar from the last course. If you don't remember, please click on the picture of this exercise, the “bubble bath” is linked there. In short: The child sits on the stairs in the children's pool, with about half of the legs under water. In a first step, the legs and feet are stretched. The child then slowly moves the straightened legs up and down, gradually strengthening the leg and keeping the legs straight.
A useful tool is the swimming board. Place your forearms and hands flat on them, but avoid holding onto the front end to prevent cramps and keep the body stretched out. In addition to the board, there are other tools such as Pullboys. Start with an object with good buoyancy and then switch to smaller ones until the child is finally able to swim without assistance.
If you have severe problems with water sensitivity, if the child has difficulty striking the leg despite straightened legs and loose feet, I recommend the exercise with fins. These make it easier to position the foot correctly due to a stronger reaction of the water. Start with a mat and a swim board. Use short fins that are only slightly longer than the foot, as foot movement with long fins is different and less appropriate.
Ideally, you should use a swimming mat, or alternatively a swimming noodle around your chest and under your armpits. A mat is more recommended as the swimming noodle can affect the water situation. The legs should be free in the water. The child uses the mat to practice crawl, isolating the feeling of water. Without focusing on body tension or breathing, it can find out how to optimally move its feet to get ahead in the water.
Place your forearms shoulder-width apart on a stair step, stretch your legs first and then your feet. Start with a light leg stroke, which gradually gets stronger and allows the legs to remain extended throughout. In this exercise, children focus exclusively on the straightened legs. These should be automated before you venture onto the motor boat, where body tension and breathing also play a role.
The child stands on the floor of the hip-deep pelvis and stretches both arms forward, with the hands lying on top of each other. Hold your child by your hands and slowly run backwards so that the child is pulled forward. The moment you start pulling, the child releases his legs from the floor, takes a breath and places his face in the water between his arms. This exercise involves stretching in a prone position and holding breath. In addition, the child feels the water resistance, similar to the later gliding phase.
The exercise is aimed at giving children a sense of movement with straight legs. Lay out a swimming mat on land with the child lying in a prone position and trying to raise the straightened legs. Demonstrate the exercise and be persistent as many children make mistakes at first. Emphasize slow execution — three seconds for each leg. If necessary, help by supporting the leg on the upper and lower leg with both hands. Note that difficulties on land may make implementation in water difficult.
Place a ping pong ball in the water in front of the child. The aim is to just blow the ball to the other side of the pool. The child will quickly realize that they have to bring their head close to the ball and to the water surface in order to make efficient progress. After a few passes, you can get the child to blow into the water and create bubble bubbles.
The “hammer” is a common swimming mistake in which the water is pushed backwards exclusively from the knees. Although some children can make rapid progress with this, it becomes more difficult to correct the wrong habit and teach the right crawl technique later on. Despite the possible movement, the hammer technique is not useful later on, especially when crawling. Exercises such as the “bubble bath” are used to prevent the hammer.
The most common mistake when striking a leg is that it comes from the knees instead of the thighs and hips, with the legs not stretched. This mistake seriously affects exercises that are based on this core exercise. A correct leg stroke is crucial for back and crawl swimming. A faulty leg stroke not only affects leg movement, but also the entire water situation.