The importance of a Back Float
Often parents ask “Why do we spend time learning back floats?” At Njswim, our approach to swim teaching is focused on achieving positive and safe introduction into the aquatic environment. Our swimming foundation is built in three areas: breath control, buoyancy, and movement. Back floats are essential for a child to understand their buoyancy and safety in the water. If a child finds themselves in a dangerous or scary situation in the water, they can rollover onto their backs and float. This gives them an open airway without exerting too much energy and the ability to call for help. You can check out more Safer Swim Tips Here
Back floats are useful for beginner swimmers as well. Swimming the entire length of the pool can get tiring. Being able to rollover to their backs and float is a great way for them to regain their strength and continue swimming.
Once your swimmer “discovers their buoyancy”, they can develop a more efficient approach to swimming. Proper body control and buoyancy, with efficient propulsion, are the keys for developing proper stroke technique.
Back Stroke First
At Njswim our progression focuses on Elementary Backstroke (Tickle-T-Snap) and Backstroke before learning freestyle and breaststroke. Once your swimmer can float, the next step is to learn Elementary Backstroke. Although it is not a competition stroke, it is still very important because it is a resting stroke. Your swimmer will learn to move their bodies through the water, while maintaining their float. This stroke is great for a beginner swimmer because their face is out of the water, so they are able to breathe normally.
Backstroke is next and is a fun, relaxing stroke to learn! The process of learning Backstroke at Njswim begins with Boiling Water Kicks, kicking their toes on their backs to propel their bodies across the pool. The next step is Upside Down Pencil Glides, kicking with their arms above their heads in the streamline position. Once they have mastered these skills, the arm movements come next. Since your swimmer’s face is out of the water, they do not have to concentrate on breathing and can focus on the movements of the rest of their bodies. Backstroke helps to develop muscles in swimmers’ back, arms, legs, and core. Developing these muscles early will make the process of learning the other strokes easier.
See you all at the Pool!
Sarah Mason
