Competent & Confident in the Water. Swim. 4 Life

Transcription

1 Competent & Confident in the Water Swim 4 Life

2 1 The National Swimming Plan is an all-inclusive programme which takes the non-swimmer from his or her first splash to developing confidence and competence in the water. The Swimmer s journey through aquatics following the National Plan for Teaching Swimming will result in the development of a wide range of skills. These skills, if you like, are a jigsaw of pieces, and when put together result in a competent, confident and safe swimmer who has the skill base for then developing technique in a wide range of water based sports Listed below are the main areas of skill which are developed to help your child take their journey through aquatics, following the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming. Entry & Exit safe entry into water, use of steps, jumps and eventually dives. Safe exit from the water, use of steps and side. Buoyancy & Balance developing an understanding of buoyancy and balance, and what affects it, and how to become buoyant in the water. Rotation & Orientation developing skills such as: how to turn around, how to lie back, how to lie forward, how to regain an upright position, and how to twist from the front to the back and vice versa. Streamlining understanding of streamlining, how to become streamlined and why it is important. Aquatic Breathing developing confidence in the water and a feeling of being at ease with the water around the face, learning how to breathe correctly, which consequently is developing a safe swimmer. Travel & Coordination developing movement forwards, backwards, sideways, how to travel effectively, exploring different ways of travelling in water. Water Safety development of a basic understanding of how to keep safe around water. Health & Fitness developing an understanding of why activity is good for you. If the swimmer does not accomplish a skill such as aquatic breathing, the achievement of skills such as rotation, streamlining, travel, buoyancy and balance will become impossible to learn effectively, if at all. At each stage of the ASA NPTS, all skills are crucial and must be comfortably achieved prior to moving on to the next stage. Through the journey of acquiring skills, water competence will develop. Through competence in water, the child will have more FUN, is more likely to be active and follow a healthy lifestyle, and more likely to actively participate in sport throughout their lifetime. Finally, all swimmers excel at a pace individual to them.

3 Competent & Confident in the Water Swim 4 Life Parents & Toddlers Swim - A - Song For children under the age of 5 years. Stage 1 Developing basic safety awareness the class scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands, floats etc. Stage 2 Developing safe entries into the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel and rotation unaided to regain upright positions. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands floats, etc. Stage 3 Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. Stage 4 Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking techniques for all strokes and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by the ASA. Stage 5 Developing watermanship through sculling and treading water skills and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to a given standard as directed by the ASA, Stage 6 Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing, developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. Stage 7 Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished through stages 1-7. Rookie lifesaving Water safety & personal survival awards At each stage of the journey through the swimming plan individuals shall be rewarded with the appropriate competency awards. 2

4 Com pet ent &C Guidance on where my child fits into the programme Is the child under the age of 5 Parent & Toddlers Swim -ASong Aqua kids Is not confident in water and cannot submerge their face or head and cannot swim 5m with the use of floats Stage 1 Is confident in water and can submerge their face/ head under the water and can travel unaided for less than 5m with no flotation aids Can submerge fully underwater and can travel unaided for 5m with no flotation aids Stage 2 Stage 3 Can swim unaided for 10m on front and back and can demonstrate all 4 leg actions front crawl, back crawl, breast stroke & butterfly Stage 4 3 Swim Life 4 on fid

5 de nt in the Wa ter Can swim front crawl face in the water, with breathing to the side and with an over arm recovery, clear of the water and can swim 10m using butterfly and breast stroke Can do all 4 strokes with the correct breathing pattern over approx 25m Stage 5 Stage 6 Can do all 4 strokes with the correct breathing pattern for a distance of between 25 and 50 metres Stage 7 Completion of stages 1-7 Water safety & personal survival awards Rookie lifesaving 4

6 Frequently asked questions What is the National Plan for Teaching Swimming? - It is the National syllabus produced by the National Governing Body for swimming, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to assist and support the delivery of swimming lessons. - It is a single pathway for swimmers to learn how to be competent and confident in the water. - It is a multi skill programme for swimmers to learn how to swim and be competent in water for them to then make the choice to continue to participate in any aquatic sport later on such as Competitive Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Rookie Lifesaving. Will my child receive any kind of reward system, badges etc? - Yes at the end of each stage they will receive a ASA swimming certificate and badge, which is sponsored by Kellogs. When does a Swimmer Achieve an Award? - A swimmer must pass ALL outcomes for that Stage before they have achieved an award. - The outcomes MUST BE performed to a standard that is stipulated by the ASA. Why might Swimmers be playing Games instead of swimming widths / lengths? - To learn how to swim, pupils need to master skills that will help them to float, breathe and move around in the water. Through games, swimmers have FUN and learn important skills. If swimmers are having FUN they enjoy what they are doing and often learn faster. The NPTS has a multi skills approach so all the skills that are learnt lead to development of a confident and competent swimmer, who is safe, happy and skilful in the water. When does a swimmer move into the next Group? - Swimmers will move up to the next group once they have passed ALL elements in each stage. How long will it take for my child to pass each Stage? - This will vary with every child. What happens after a Swimmer has completed ALL Stages of the NPTS? - Local councils offer a range of aquatic sessions that swimmers may be interested in. This can include; Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming, Rookie Lifesaving, Diving and Underwater Hockey (Octopush). - Swimmers can also attend a trial with local swimming clubs and will be grouped on their ability. 5

7 Admissions Policy Parental Responsibility The admission to swimming lessons falls under the general admissions policy therefore; Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or a responsible person over the age of 16. This person must stay on site for the duration of the swimming lesson. In the interest of Health & Safety it is strongly advised the parent/guardian of all children attending swimming lessons regardless of age, remain within the Sports Centre during the duration of the swimming lessons Behaviour Parents are requested to assist teachers in ensuring all children behave in a reasonable manner. Good behaviour assists the teacher in being able to deliver good practice across the whole class. Disruptive behaviour detracts the ability of the teacher in delivering the lesson plan and will affect the whole class and hinder satisfactory progression. If there are instances of continual disruption the individual circumstances will be discussed with the parent and may lead to the withdrawal of the child from the swimming lesson programme. Communication with Swimming Instructors The structure of swimming lessons allows time between classes for the instructors to discuss any queries parents may have. Therefore, if you wish to discuss any queries you may have, please speak to the teacher at the end of a lesson. Swimwear Parents are advised in order to assist both the child and teacher in learning your child/ children to swim, the appropriate swimwear should be worn. For girls a full swim costume (not bikini) should be worn. For boys appropriate swimming trunks (not baggy style knee length shorts). Baggy shorts add unnecessary drag, weight and will prevent the child from being able to coordinate movement in the water. Hair Parents are requested to ensure children who have shoulder length hair is tied back or a swim cap is worn. Hygiene Please ensure your child uses the toilet before entering the swimming lesson in order to prevent disruption during the lesson Safety In the interest of child safety all jewellery must be removed before entering swimming lessons (rings, bangles, necklaces, earrings). 6

8 : i v n t i t s c o Are you ready for an... PARCBRYN BACH Various adventure activities on offer for groups & individuals Driving range 9 hole golf course National standard BMX track Bunkhouse and camping & caravaning onsite For more info call General & Aquatic Information Abertillery Sports Centre Tel: Abertillery Piranhas Swimming Club Ebbw Vale Sports Centre Tel: Heads of the Valley Swimming Club Ebbw Vale Life Saving Club Ebbw Vale Canoeing Club Ebbw Vale Diving Club Tredegar Sports Centre Tredegar Torpedoes Swimming Club Tredegar Triathlon Club Disability Swimming Clubs Blaenau Gwent Otters (Based at Tredegar Sports Centre) Tel: Blaenau Gwent Whales Swimming Club (Based at Nantyglo Sports Centre) Tel: Welsh Assembly Government Free Swimming Initiative takes place every school term holiday period. F o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n a n y a c t All images supplied by the Swim 4 Life team i e c t a