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Teaching Front Crawl Body Position

The position and shape of the body is crucial to a streamlined stroke, so teaching front crawl body position correctly is an essential starting point.  Get this right and your swimmer has the perfect platform to learn and perfect a smooth swimming stroke. 

The tools you need are right here...

Lesson 1: Body Position

Aim: to introduce basic front crawl body position

Equipment: floaters, sinkers and buoyancy aids as needed

Exercise/Activity                                                                                

Entry:  swivel entry

Warm up:  2 widths any stroke on the front

1. standing holding the poolside and submerging

2. submerg the face whilst horizontal, holding side

3. push and glide with floats under each arm

4. push and glide with one float in front

5. push and glide without buoyancy aids

6. push and glide adding front crawl stroke

Contrasting activity:

submerging to retrieve an object

submerging to retrieve objects placed apart

Exit:

using the pool steps or over the pool side

Teaching Point                         

enter slowly

take your time

deep breath and relax

arms out stretched

relax and glide

stretch out, point toes

hands together

stretch out and relax


take your time

deep breath and relax


take your time

Body Position Lesson Plan with Timings

Swimming lesson plans for teaching front crawl body position to beginners

Key parts to look out for:

  • Head remains still and central
  • Face is submerged with the water line around the brow
  • Shoulders should be level and square
  • Legs are in line with the body
  • Hands and feet should be together
  • Overall body position should be streamlined

Common mistakes:

  • Push off is too weak
  • Arms stretch out in front after the push off
  • Head in not central
  • Hands or feet are apart
  • Overall body position is not straight or streamlined

When you're done with teaching front crawl body position...

My hugely popular book 'How To Teach Front Crawl' contains lesson plans and some basic drills to add to your swimming lessons.  All of the plans include assessment tools, meaning you spend less time planning and more time focusing on the quality of your teaching. 

Lesson plans, assessment tools and a whole load more...

Grab a copy of my popular book 'How To Teach Front Crawl' and plan your swimming lessons to get the best out of your swimmers. (click here for an instant preview)


How to teach front crawl ebook containing basic drills and lessons plans.Click the cover image to PREVIEW


From basic technique drills, to advanced lesson plans and assessment tools - get the swimming teacher's definitive guide to teaching front crawl. 

Click the cover image to preview, or add to cart to download my book today.

Click here for more information about my book. 



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Check out some more beginner lesson plans

Swimming lesson plans for teaching front crawl body position

Body Position

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Legs

Swimming lesson plans for teaching front crawl arm pull technique

Arms

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Breathing

Swimming lesson plans for teaching front crawl timing and coordination

Timing