When we coach swimmers, we are working with the end in mind -- based on the skill set swimmers currently possess. We are working to build confident swimmers who can progress to the next levels more easily. 

For example, when starting new swimmers, we follow this basic timeline:

1. Comfort in the water (face in the water, going underwater)
2. Floating on stomach and back
3. Adding kicking to the float 
4. Kicking and flipping
5. Adding Arms 

However, all work and no "play" can make siwmmers tired and frustrated. So, interspersed with the "work" we find ways to build and improve skills in more fun ways.

As swimmers progress to knowing more strokes -- we can work on an ever-increasing set of skills -- for swimmers this past week, that included turns.  We work on turns early for a number of reasons, but here are my top 3:

First, learning turns early allows younger swimmers to begin mastering them, so that when they age up, the confidence in doing turns is already present. This will make them more competitive as a 9-year-old.

Second, it allows us to better work conditioning efforts -- which makes them stronger and faster.

And third, it's FUN. Young swimmers love to do what they see the "big" kids do. It gives them a huge sense of accomplishment -- which boosts their confidence. 

We aren't neglecting work on finishes -- we are simply expanding their skill sets, keeping the kids better engaged and excited about learning.

You see this same skill building with our beginners as we start introducing fly kick and breast kick -- it's a break from just free and back, they begin learning how to move their bodies in different ways, and hopefully by the time they are 7 and 8, have the foundation necessary to start swimming breast and/or fly more quickly.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend -- remember, next week we are on a modified schedule with intermediate and advanced swimmers together as we focus on breast - STARTS - and fly.

Lisa