Description
Breaststroke is a totally different movement to the other strokes which use an up and down movement. It can therefore take time for the swimmer to understand the more complicated requirements to perform a solid Breaststroke kick.
The swimmer must have to be able (your discretion based on the individual), to turn their feet outwards and produce a simultaneous leg kick.
For this award, we suggest the swimmer is to be able to draw their legs up, turn toes outwards, push out into a star shape behind them and then bring their legs together in a streamline position to glide. Faces can be in the water or chin on the surface, which ever is easiest for the swimmer and again the choice is yours if the swimmer demonstrates this kick with aids or not.
Lesson ideas
The main skill that the swimmer has to master is changing the leg kick direction from up and down to outwards.
There are many ways that you can explain the basic movements ie, TUCK, STAR, PENCIL. We always find it easier if the swimmer can see their feet as it helps transfer the words to actions.
With the use of a woggle under the swimmers arms, turn the swimmer on their back into a seating position so they can watch their feet actions. Slow it down and only when they have achieved the correct position do they move their feet to the next position.
When a swimmer is competent in this new movement, try turning them on their tummy to have a go. It will be a harder to achieve as they cant now see their feet so will have to remember the patterns made.
Once a swimmer has mastered this you can introduce turn feet out and the glide.
Some swimmers can find it hard to envisage what is asked of their feet, so you can always try a pair of trainers on your hands to show the direction which their feet need to go.
