Step by step to success

Preparatory exercises

In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.

Spine equilibrium

Ideally, the child gets a pull buoy or board between their legs and straightens their backs with their arms. This means that both arms are rotated synchronously and the water is pushed backwards with both arms synchronously. This exercise helps to improve water displacement during arm pulls. As already said, the back crawl of this core exercise is still an initial form and is very different from the back crawl of competitive swimmers. In this initial form, the main drive for most children comes from their feet. However, it is important that they at least try to push the water backwards through their arms. The arms should draw the water first. As soon as the arms are past the shoulders, you go into a push phase.

Few braces

The child swims on its back as in the core “otter swim” exercise. This involves an attempt to pull an arm from time to time. At least eight leg strokes are then performed per arm stroke before the other arm comes. In an initial phase, arm pulls cause a great deal of unrest in the child's water situation. Many children want to do the land exercise as quickly as possible and make bracelets wild. Because only one arm is pulled from time to time, the water position remains stable and the child can fully concentrate on the arm pull.

Windmill backwards

The first thing you should do is train your back crawl on land. To do this, both arms are first placed on the side of the body. Then you start with one arm. The extended arm is rotated clockwise. The palm of the hand points inwards. Halfway up, i.e. when the arm is at a 90 degree angle to the body, the palm is turned outwards. When the arm reaches the highest point, the upper body rotates from the shoulder in the direction of the arm. With the shoulder rotation, the hand is rotated even further so that the palm points backwards at the highest point. That's how the hand stays. This means that halfway down, the palm of your hand is facing the ground. After doing this exercise with one arm, the other arm and, in a later step, both come together (see picture). ‍ The explanation for this land exercise is very precise. As a first step, it would be good if coordination works with both arms and turning the hand outwards when it is in front of the body. Shoulder rotation will be practiced extensively in upcoming courses.

Schritt für schritt zum erfolg

Häufige Fehler

Beinschlag vergessen

Viele Kinder widmen ihre gesamte Aufmerksamkeit dem neu gelernten Armzug. Dadurch geht der Beinschlag vergessen und die Beine sinken ab. Der Beinschlag ist allerdings wichtig. Er sorgt für die nötige Stabilität im Wasser, welche den Armzug erst möglich macht. Zudem ist er in dieser frühen Phase noch der Hauptantrieb. Auch für dieses Problem eignen sich die Übung mit wenigen Armzügen und auch hier können Sie Ihrem Kind als alternative Übung sagen, dass es die Arme nur in Zeitlupe bewegen soll und dafür alle Kraft in den Beinschlag steckt. Repetieren Sie das "Otterschwimmen" zudem ausführlich, bevor Sie mit dem Rückenkraul beginnen.

Way too hectic

Viele Kinder steigen nach der Landübung ins Wasser und wollen direkt durchdrehen. Das bedeutet, dass die Arme ohne Kontrolle oder Koordination nach hinten fliegen. Dadurch bringen sie eine große Unruhe in ihre Wasserlage und schlussendlich müssen sie sich nach ein paar wenigen Metern komplett erschöpft am Beckenrand halten. Für diesen Fehler eignet sich die vorbereitende Übung mit wenig Armzügen. Zudem können Sie ihrem Kind sagen es soll mit den Armen in Zeitlupe schwimmen und nur mit den Beinen stark angeben.

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