Early Concepts & Skills

Important Note to the Viewer

LESSONS: 18 VIDEOS

Pull Buoy - How and why to use them

A standard tool in teaching and training for swimming is the pull buoy. The typical pull buoy is a solid piece of styrofoam that is held between the thighs. This helps to keep the hips up and the body in balance. In addition to increased balance, this can also serve to limit the kick, allowing the focus of what you’re going to shift to how you use your arms. A special type of pull buoy would be the FINIS Axis Buoy which can be used in the standard orientation, but can also be held between the ankles. In this location, core stability will be challenged. This is a more advanced usage of the pull buoy and should only be tried initially in shallow water and when you’re feeling more confident in your swimming. Pick up a pull buoy at Finis - Remember to use the coupon code "goswim" to save $15%

Snorkel - How and why to use them

The Swimmer’s Snorkel is a great tool when learning to swim better. The snorkel allows you to focus on your body balance and rotation, without having to worry about turning your head for the breath. A Swimmer’s Snorkel sits in front of the face, not off to the side like a normal snorkel. Let’s learn how to use the Swimmer’s Snorkel First, put the mouthpiece of the snorkel into your mouth and gently secure it by biting down on the soft rubber. Next, position the headpiece against your forehead and then draw the straps over the back of your head. When the snorkel feels secure, adjust the snorkel to make sure it’s positioned directly in the middle of your head. Pick up a snorkel at FINIS. Use coupon code "goswim" to save 15%!

Kickboard - How and why to use them

When trying to improve your kick, a kickboard is a simple and effective tool. No matter which kick you’re doing, try to hold the board so that the arms are straight forward and the fingers are pushing the lead edge of the board slightly into the water. You’re trying to keep the board as flat to the surface as possible. If the board is pointing uphill, your body balance may be slightly off. By pushing the board deeper into the water, the hips will come up and you’ll practice a more effective kick position. Don’t over kick on flutter kick, but allow the heels to slightly break the surface of the water and pull some air down. One of our favorite kickboards is the FINIS Alignment Board. It encourages a streamline position. Used in combination with the Swimmer’s Snorkel, this is an effective way to practice your body alignment as well as improve your kick. Keep the arms straight and continue to keep the legs long with pointed toes. Pick up your kickboard at FINIS. Use coupon code "goswim" to save 15%!

Nose Clips - How and why to use them

One of the simplest tools for improving your swimming may be a nose clip. If you’ve ever had water go up your nose, you know how uncomfortable it is. One of the most frequent places that water goes up the nose is during the flip turn. Our swimmer pays particular attention to blowing out through the nose during her turn. But if she had a nose clip on, she could save that oxygen for a better push off, AND protect her nose from water. If you have to blow air out of your nose when pushing off on your back, you’ll discover a whole new dimension to swimming when you put on a nose clip. Holding on to your air and protecting the nose is a fantastic combination. To put on a nose clip effectively, position the clip toward the top or middle of your nose and slide it down over the nostrils. Many people find that by using the nose clip in combination with a snorkel, it also makes it more enjoyable and takes the focus off have water go up the nose. Get your nose clip here from FINIS. Use coupon code "goswim" to save 15%!

Tempo Trainer - How and why to use them

Get your Tempo Trainer at a SPECIAL Discounted Price by using Promo Code - goswimtv - at checkout. Swimming is as much about rhythm as music. Finding just the right rhythm for your stroke sometimes needs a little help. The FINIS Tempo Trainer allows you to set a pace, cadence, or rhythm for each stroke so you can think about HOW you’re swimming, not HOW FAST. Finding the proper rhythm is so important for efficiency, so experimenting with your tempo is a great swimming knowledge building experiment. Speeding up or slowing down your rate will allow you to explore extension, rotation, catch, kick… all the different aspects that will eventually make you a better swimmer. Pick up your Tempo Trainer from FINIS! Use coupon code "goswim" to save 15%!

Getting in at the ladder

When using a ladder to get into the pool, it’s important to remember a couple of things. First, make sure you have a firm grasp on the ladder prior to stepping into the pool. Approach the ladder facing the pool, only turning around after you’ve secured your hand to the ladder. As you lower your first foot into the water, slide your toes against the wall slowly until you feel your foot find the step. It’s important to not rush even this most simple task. Take your time a stay secure.

Seated Entry

Entering the pool safely will mean a more enjoyable experience. Approach facing the pool. Put your toes close to the edge and kneel down. Place one hand on the deck and sit down with your feet in the water. In our first example, take one arm and reach it over in front of you to meet the other hand. Twist your hips around over the water, and lower yourself into the pool using the leverage from both arms. Our second example starts the same way as the first. Approach facing the pool. Place one hand on deck and sit down with your feet in the water. Use both arms to leverage yourself forward and as you lower yourself into the water, release one arm and turn your body back toward the wall.

Getting out at the ladder

When climbing out of the pool using the ladder, slow, steady and secure should be the mantra. With your hands securely on the side of the pool, gently find the ledge, or step with your foot. Prior to starting to climb up the ladder, move one hand from the side to the handle of the ladder. Then, as you start to climb, move both hands onto the handles. Pull yourself up and forward as your feet continue to climb. Don’t let go of the handles until you’re walking away from the pool. Again, both hands on the side while the feet find the steps. Transfer both hands to the handles as you start to climb up the ladder. Don’t let go of the ladder until both feet are on the pool deck and you’re walking away from the water.

Pushout with a twist

If your pool has low or wash over gutters, some people find it easier to get out at the side or end of the pool. One method of climbing out is the twist. Use the leverage of both arms to start to lift your body out of the water. As you’re rising out of the water, rotate your hips so you land on the side in a seated position. Now rotate your legs away from the pool and brace yourself with one of your hands. When both feet are on the pool deck, stand up and walk away from the pool. It’s always good to see what else you can use in combination of the side exit, so looking for something like the side of the ladder, backstroke flags, or the starting block to give you a bit more leverage in standing up. Be aware of your surroundings and look for secure objects you can use to help you stand up.

Climb out to a stand

If your pool has low gutters, and you prefer to just climb out at the end, there are a couple of options. The simplest is to place both hands on the side of the pool with our elbows out to the side. Using the leverage of your arms, push your body UP and swing one leg out to the side resting your knee on the deck. With your hands still on the deck, bring the other leg onto the deck and then stand up. Always remember the deck could be slippery if there is tile around, so it’s best to stay low and secure while getting your balance. The second option is for swimmers that may be a bit younger or stronger. Position your hands just as you would for the first option, only this time, as you push yourself out, raise one leg and without having the knee touch the deck, the foot will come all the way up and land on the deck. Bring the other leg up and when both feet are on the deck, stand up and walk away from the pool.

Stand up from a front float

When learning body balance and swimming, one of the most important skills to learn is how to stand up from the floating position. There are a couple of key things to remember, your eyes and your feet. Lifting the head first will cause your hips to sink, and cause imbalance making it more difficult to get your feet to the bottom. To do this correctly, keep your eyes on the bottom of the pool, and tuck your knees toward your chest. As the knees come forward, the hips and torso will slide backward over the knees. When the body rotates back toward the knees, continue to keep your eyes looking down. Only when you SEE your feet touch the bottom of the pool, do you stand up. Remember, eyes down and tuck the knees under you. Keep your eyes down until you SEE your feet touch the bottom of the pool, then stand up. This simple skill can save new swimmers from the instinctual struggle of getting to air safely.

Stand up from a back float

Just as the eyes and knees are important for standing up from a front float, they are also important and standing up from a back float. While on your back, start the process by tucking the knees toward your chest. As the knees retract toward the chest, look down toward your knees, in almost a crunch position. You can use your hands at this point as well to push UP on the water to help the body rotate more quickly. Be careful not to move too slowly on this. The quicker you tuck the knees, the quicker the body will rotate the feet underneath, and the easier it will be to stand up. Also, pay attention to the hands. Turning the palms UP and pushing toward the surface during this process will help the body to rotate more quickly.