Development of Freestyle in Children

U3065887Chris Matthews

Introduction

• What is freestyle• Theories in presenting to children • Development of a child (LTAD)• Methods/ Techniques

What is Freestyle

• Australian • Components

Head Position, Pull, Breathing, Body Rotation, Kick• Purpose

competition, rescues, recreation, waterpolo, prone board paddling

Theories into how to approach the skill

Howard Gardner• Verbal skill• Spatial skill• Bodily-kinaesthetic skill• Interpersonal skill• Naturalistic skill

Influencing

• Gendermales vs females in groups

• Environmenthow often does the child play in the water , The Six R’s

• Ethnicity/ country Caucasian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern

Development of a child

Long term athlete development (LTAD) baliyEarly Specialization Model• Fundamental stage

build overall motor skills, critical period of speed development , make it FUN

• Learning to train stagebuild overall sports skills, further developed, window of opportunity

Beginner freestyle

Age: 3 – 6Developing:

Confidence in the water and getting the basics right

Going about it:Fun, Games, Very interactive

Beginner continue

Keyword: Tiger arms, Arm circles, Boiling the water, Bubbles

Helpful AidsKick board, Noodle, Mat, Toys, Small balls

Drills: Holding on to the kick board, Sitting on the edge or mat and kicking

Intermediate Freestyler

Age: 7-9Development:

Correction from before, Kicking, Bilateral breathing, Confidence in deep water

Going about it:Small sentences, visual demonstration, making sure that there attention is on you, get them to repeat what you want them to doNeed to be just as interactive but they can under stand you more

Intermediate continue

Keyword:Bubble arm, bubble arm, breath arm, torpedo, small fast kicks

Helpful aidsKick board, Noodle

Drills: One arm freestyle (using board if need), Torpedo kick, Kicking on side

Advanced Freestyler

Age: 10-12 Developing:

Technique, Breathing, Pull

Going about it:Can explain why they need to certain thing to improve (efficacy of the stoke, kick keeps them on top)Make it a little competitive, more drills, Proprioception

Advance continue

Keyword:Shark fin to get high elbows, Touch the wall to stretch out, Catching

Helpful AidsKick board, Pull buoys, Flippers

Drills:Six kick switch, Hold the kick board out in front, Closed hand freestyle

Final note

• That it is appropriate for the individual/ group • Other strokes need to be taken into account• That when conducting this the safety need to been

the most important • Try not to lose interest in freestyle• Not to go backwards• That every child is different and that you should

make saw that you try and tailer for all the need due to every child is different

Referencing • Balyi I,. Hamilton A. (2004) Long-Term Athlete Development: Trainability in Childhood and

Adolescence. Windows of Opportunity. Optimal.• http://www.livestrong.com/article/488806-components-of-freestyle-swimming/• Austswim teaching swimming and water saftey 2nd edition, (2008), pg 122-135• MacLeod, Colin M. The six R's of remembering.Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne,

Vol 54(1), Feb, 2013. Special issue: CPA Awards - 2012 / Numéro spécial : Les prix de la SCP - 2012. pp. 38-49