How to Teach a Child the Freestyle Stroke

The freestyle stroke is the most efficient of the swimming strokes and the fastest for most people. It is not the easiest to learn. However, with some time and patience, you can teach a child the freestyle stroke. Remember to make the lessons fun. A child will learn better and faster if the lessons are enjoyable.

Things You'll Need

  • Regular access to a large pool (25 or 50 meters if possible)
  • Kickboard
  • Set of diagrams illustrating movements of the freestyle stroke
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Instructions

    • 1

      In the shallow end of the pool, have the child hold onto the side of the pool with both hands. Next, have the child lower his face into the water. Without lifting his head, he should turn it to the left until his mouth is out of the water and inhale. Have him turn his head back and exhale underwater. Continue this exercise until the child can do this for two minutes without discomfort and without lifting his head.

    • 2

      Start with the same procedure as in step 1. Then have the child begin kicking to bring his body to a horizontal position. He should continue turning his head to the left to breath and then exhale underwater, without lifting his head. Continue this exercise until the child can do it for two minutes without difficulty.

    • 3

      Instead of holding onto the side of the pool, have the child hold onto a kickboard with both arms outstretched and repeat the kicking and breathing exercise in step 2. Since the child will now be moving, be sure he doesn’t stray into the deep part of the pool.

    • 4

      Steps 4 and 5 are done out of the water and can be taught while the child is learning the first three steps. Have the child stand and put one hand over his head, bent at a slight angle with the palm facing down. Next have him bring his arm down in front of his body just below the waist, while keeping his palm facing down. At this point, have him pull his other arm backward over his head by bending his elbow.

    • 5

      Use illustrated diagrams to show him exactly how each part of the stroke is done. He should turn his head to the left with each stroke and inhale.

    • 6

      In the shallow end of the pool, have the child push off from the side and begin kicking. As soon as he is level, he should begin the arm stroke. Walk alongside the child the first few times he swims across the pool. The important thing is to make sure the child learns to maintain the proper form for breathing without lifting his head out of the water.

    • 7

      Continue practicing until the child is able to swim twice across the pool at the shallow end without stopping to rest and while maintaining proper form.

    • 8

      Take the child to the deep end of the pool and have him get in the water (if using a 50 meter pool, start midway along the pool). Have the child swim the length of the pool to the shallow end.

    • 9

      Continue to supervise the child until he can swim two pool lengths (50 meters) nonstop and with correct freestyle form.