Teach the Sidestroke
Sidestroke is both a lifesaving stroke and lifetime stroke. Why do I say this? Well, when a lifeguard makes a rescue the scissors kick from sidestroke is a popular kick to use. Sidestroke is a Lifetime Stroke as well. If you swim it efficiently, you can swim for hours without too much fatigue. It can be almost literally be used as a resting or recovery stroke if you swim it properly. On the other hand, swim it poorly and it won’t be much help.
Steps
- Teach the Scissors Kick. You can start by teaching the kick on the deck, then move to the pool wall.
- Teach the learning cues: "Heels up, Split, Squeeze, and Glide" (up, split, squeeze, and glide).
- Make sure to demonstrate the kick as well, and have your students recite the cues as you demonstrate.
- When your student is ready to progress to practicing the kick across the pool, use a kick board or water barbell (see attached video).
- Be sure to manipulate the legs through the proper movement pattern.
- Teach the Sidestroke Arms. Try using the old “Apple Tree” analogy: "Pick an apple off the tree, put it in your other hand, drop it in the basket." (repeat). Further explain that the Sidestroke Arm Action with these cues: "Pull, Push, and Glide." Because it would be very difficult to practice the arms without the legs while swimming, teach the timing next.
- Teach the timing of the Arms & Legs. In this step, put it all together. Demonstrate the stroke first while having your students use a choral responding technique. In other words, recite the timing cues as they are demonstrated. The timing cues are: "Arms and Legs Bend, Arms and Legs Straighten." Once the students have seen it and have a general understanding of the new stroke-- get them back into the water to start practicing it!
Tips
- While it is great to learn how to do the kick on both sides, I would recommend that you find out your student's dominant side for entry level instruction. If your student is right handed, learning sidestroke on the left side should come easier. If your student is left handed, learning to sidestroke on the right side should be easier to learn.
Related Articles
- Learn Lifesaving Techniques
- Swim the Sidestroke
