I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
Can't float when swimming? ‘This is a must read! Plus, Loads Of Teaching Resources
Many beginners learning to swim believe that the ability to float holds the key to success, but that is really not true. Most of the best swimmers in the world cannot float.
Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you.
This week, I debunk some of the myths about floating by adding in a few essential tools that beginners need, to learn how to swim.
Floating Stationary or Whilst Moving?
Floating stationary and whilst moving are two completely different concepts to get to grips with. Some of us sink like a stone and there is nothing we can do about it. However, if we learn to glide, we stay afloat as we swim through the water. Plus, if we begin to add some aspects of gliding into our swimming technique, we become more efficient as we move through the water too. Win-win! Click the link below for the low down on gliding...
| Discover how to glide |
Just Relax...!
Does your swimming teacher often say 'try to relax'? Easier said than done eh? Especially when you're not completely comfortable with being in the water yet. Well, here are a few tips and tricks that might just help unlock that ability to relax and be 'at one' with the water.
For more on the science of floating and for some exercises to try that will help you get a feel for floating, click here.
Teachers - Resources To Save You Time And Work
There is nothing better than someone else doing some hard work for you. In my Resource Library you will find basic drills, lesson plans and my hugely popular 'How To Be A Swimming Teacher' ebook. Head over by clicking the link below - you might just save yourself some time and effort!
| Lesson Plans and other Teaching Resources |
That's it for this week. Stay focused, stay in touch and stay safe.
Happy swimming!
Cheers
Mark
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Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach
I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.
Many swimmers pull too hard and still don’t move far. Here’s why - and a simple drill that fixes it. Hi, Mark here. Hope your week’s been a good one! Let’s talk breaststroke arms. As swimming teachers, we know it’s the leg kick that delivers the real power. But many swimmers still rely too much on their arms to pull themselves through the water, and that’s where things go wrong. Quick Breakdown of the Arm Pull Technique The breaststroke arm movement can be split into three simple phases:...
Hi Mark here, I hope all is well. A while ago, I asked swimming teachers a simple question: What is the hardest part of teaching swimming? I suggested a few possibilities: lesson planning behaviour management nervous beginners stroke technique confidence on poolside The overwhelming answer? Parents. Not because swimming teachers dislike parents. Not because parents are the enemy. But because managing parents on poolside can sometimes feel harder than teaching the actual swimming lesson. The...
Learning to swim starts with calm, not chaos - it’s about building confidence, feeling at home in the water, and knowing exactly what to do each time you step into the pool. Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. When you’re learning to swim, it’s natural to have a few questions running through your mind: Why do I still feel nervous in the water? Why do I sink when I try to float? How do I breathe without swallowing water? Where do I even start — strokes or confidence first? If those...