Every swim school program and teaching space set up varies. As teachers, we must adhere to their ways and methods of teaching. For new teachers, and teachers who has been teaching for years, it is important to always keep the brain active. Try to think outside the box despite maybe being presented with limitations on hand. We need to be flexible and we need to embrace change if it should arise.
Perhaps you may be used to having the right-hand corner of the pool every Thursday at 4.30pm. Then you arrive in to do your shift to be told you must take that class in another pool area. I’m sure we have all been here before, I know I have. Don’t focus on the “oh NO!!! It’s the end of the world, I can’t teach my class there!”. Instead, we encourage you to embrace the change and perhaps even get creative.
You MUST remain positive. Let’s face it, the kids who turn up for that 4.30pm class may even feel a bit put out. If they see a grumpy teacher in a new teaching area, how do you think their lesson will run? Never mind how mum is going to react… So, let’s get some strategies in place. Have a think about the different types of teaching formations we may be able to adopt.
Circling the lane
Circling the lane is where swimmers follow the leader. They swim down one side of the lane and return on the other side of it. Swimmers can be moving quickly through this formation and don’t need to wait until the person in front finishes. Instead, they leave just enough space so swimmer doesn’t catch the person in front. It should enable 3, 4 or even 5 swimmers to be moving at once if done correctly. Therefore, they achieve maximum practice time
In addition, it is beneficial when you wish to give individual feedback/manipulation or have a look at individual capabilities. It can also help when having to look to see if a child is almost ready for the next level. You may need to alter the activity or distance for that one child. However, this shouldn’t have an effect on the rest of the group.
Wave Formation in your Teaching Space
Wave formation is where all swimmers move together at the same time on the teacher’s command. Ensure swimmers are lined up beside each other in the lane so they can go when instructed. Skills practice works well with this formation as teacher can observe all students at the same time. Races can also be incorporated into this wave formation activity.
This formation works particularly well in keeping all students moving at the same time and benefits skill acquisition due to the amount of repetitions. It is important that you keep your distances short so you don’t over tire your swimmers as this formation can push them to try harder to keep up with the group. Wave formation also helps if you have one or two overactive swimmers in your class that you need to keep moving.
Circuits
Circuit formation is when you integrate a few different activities whilst moving around the perimeter of the lane and can provide lots of variation within your lesson. Once again, you as the teacher can zoom in on who needs assistance with any skills. Every circuit should always be centered around skill building eg push and float from the wall with the board, kick across with the board and face in the water, bubble and breathe drill on the way back. Circuiting the lane tends to work better if your teaching area is a little wider than a standard narrow lane.
Shallow vs Deep
Personally, I love changing up my teaching space if there is an opportunity to do so. One of my favourite areas to teach is in the deeper water. I feel that it is extremely important to ensure that your students can perform skills to the same standard in the deeper water. On condition that you have mobile benches or ledges, it is good to ensure your swimmers can become more confident at performing these skills and stepping outside their comfort zone with your support.
Changing up your teaching space and structure of your lesson can add so much value to your lesson. It is good to vary it, especially when parents or children may start to become complacent with the regular. We all need to accept and embrace the change as sometimes it is inevitable for example when you may have to have time off and another teacher steps in to take your lessons. More importantly, it is a reminder for you that you are capable, adaptable and therefore making you a more valuable asset within your team.
Through the provision of interactive training modules, World Wide Swim School is improving the quality of swimming training and teaching around the world. If you’d like to receive training from Laurie Lawrence as well as many other benefits, join World Wide Swim School today.