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Lesson 4

Kicking

Ages 4+ 10 min Starting at the wall

A good kick builds leg strength and the push that carries every stroke later on. This lesson starts with the swimmer holding the wall, adds support while moving around the pool, then puts the kick together with floating to swim a short distance.

Step by step

1. Kicking at the wall

1

Wall kicks

  1. Have the swimmer lie on their tummy, holding the wall with both hands and their legs stretched out behind them.
  2. Support them with one hand under the belly.
  3. Have them start kicking their legs up and down.
  4. The goal is to keep the legs fairly straight. The knees should not be locked, but they should not bend as if riding a bicycle.
Not like thisThe knees bend all the way, like pedaling a bicycle.
Like thisThe legs stay mostly straight, with only a tiny bend in the knee.
Tip

Bent knees are the most common habit to fix. Use a kickboard or your hands, placed lightly at the surface above the feet, so the swimmer can feel when they are exaggerating the knee bend and breaking the surface.

2. Kicking with support

2

Supported kicks around the pool

  1. Have the swimmer hold a kickboard while you place one hand under it. You can also skip the board and support them with just your hands.
  2. Have them kick as you move together around the pool.
  3. This gets them used to the feeling of moving with their kicks, without being all alone.

3. Putting it together

3

Kick and swim a short distance

  1. Have the swimmer start at the wall and push off into a front or back float.
  2. From the float, add some kicks to swim a short distance.
  3. The arms can stay at the sides, in a rocket ship, or in Sally Starfish.

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