How to Teach Breaststroke: A Beginner’s Guide

Learning how to teach breaststroke is a rewarding experience, allowing you to share your passion for swimming and help others enjoy this fantastic sport. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to teaching the breaststroke, catering to both beginner and intermediate swimmers.

Understanding the Breaststroke

The breaststroke is a unique and efficient stroke, characterized by its undulating, rhythmic movements. Before delving into the teaching aspect, it’s crucial to understand the key elements of the stroke:

  • Body Position: The body should be horizontal and streamlined throughout the stroke. The head should be slightly submerged, eyes focused on the bottom of the pool.
  • Arm Movements: Both arms move simultaneously, starting with an outward pull, followed by an inward sweep, and ending with a recovery phase. The hands should be cupped and move in a circular motion.
  • Leg Movements: The legs perform a powerful frog kick, with the feet moving outwards and then inwards in a synchronized motion. The knees should be bent throughout the kick.
  • Breathing: The head is raised for inhalation, usually at the end of the arm pull, followed by a smooth exhalation underwater.

Teaching the Basics

Start with the fundamentals, building a solid foundation for your students to progress upon:

1. Body Position and Streamlining

  • Drill: Have students lie on their stomachs, arms extended overhead, and practice maintaining a straight body position. Encourage them to keep their head low and focus on the bottom of the pool.

2. Arm Movements

  • Drill: In shallow water, have students practice the arm pull. Start with a wide outward sweep, followed by an inward pull, and a final recovery phase. Emphasize the circular motion and the cupped hand position.

3. Leg Movements

  • Drill: Have students practice the frog kick in shallow water. Encourage a powerful and controlled movement, ensuring the knees stay bent throughout the kick.

4. Breathing

  • Drill: In shallow water, have students practice raising their heads for inhalation and then exhaling smoothly underwater. Focus on a relaxed and controlled breathing technique.

Progressing to Complete Strokes

Once the basics are mastered, gradually introduce the complete stroke:

1. Coordination and Timing

  • Drill: Have students practice coordinating the arm pull and leg kick. Encourage them to inhale at the end of the arm pull and exhale underwater.

2. Full Stroke

  • Drill: Encourage students to practice the full breaststroke, focusing on the body position, arm movements, leg movements, and breathing. Provide feedback and guidance to improve their technique.

Advanced Drills

For intermediate swimmers, advanced drills can refine their breaststroke technique:

  • Single-Arm Pull: Practice the arm pull using only one arm, focusing on the circular motion and cupped hand position.
  • Double-Leg Kick: Practice the frog kick with both legs simultaneously, emphasizing the power and control of the movement.
  • Kick-Out Drill: Practice kicking off the wall with the breaststroke kick, focusing on the streamlined body position and the explosive power of the kick.

Conclusion

Teaching the breaststroke can be a fulfilling experience. By providing clear instructions, practicing drills, and offering constructive feedback, you can help your students develop their swimming skills and enjoy the benefits of this classic stroke. Remember to be patient, encouraging, and focus on building a solid foundation for success.

Article By Fr4nk