THE ART OF SWIMMING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5516, 20 December 1929, Page 4

THE ART OF SWIMMING

HINTS FOR PAEROA BEGINNERS. VALUE OF LAND DRILL. With the approach of the summer weather the subject of swimming will occupy the minds of many of the younger generation—and the older people too, for that matter. Interesting hints on the teaching of the art are given in this month’s “National Education,” and may be of interest to those who have not yet acquired proficiency in the water. Difficulty of Teaching. “In swimming, perhaps more than in any other branch of physical exercise, the chief difficulty is to teach that which appears so easy to a good swimmer,” states the article. “A swimmer uses his limbs in the water quite as 'mechanically as in walking, but the difficulty is to acquire the ability to impart this knowledge to others.” The invariable tendency of all beginners was to bend the back, as if stooping, make little, short, jerky plunges with hands and feet, and forget to straighten the limbs. The simplest way of correcting this was by means of drill, which was far more effective than any amount of verbal explanation, which was seldom noticed or remembered. It was essential that each part of a swimming stroke should be clearly explained, in order that the learner might gain a general idea of the various -motions of the limbs before entering the water. Every movement should be carefully executed, the circular sweep of the arms and legs properly defined, and all haste and flurry avoided. Pupils should first be taught the necessary leg movements, followed by those of the arms, and when they were proficient in bothUhey should be taken through the combined arm and leg motions until these were correctly and smartly executed. Special provision should be made by the instructor for regular practice in deep breathing. The practice was to stand in the position of attention, bring the head and shoulders well forward, and slowly exhale through the mouth as much air as possible from the lungs. This should be followed by slowly making a deep inspiration through the nostrils, and gradually throwing back the head and shoulders to the position of attention. If this exercise were repeated six times at each lesson the pupil would not only be benefited by the exchange of air in the lungs, but would also learn how to fill them properly, and thus add to his buoyancy in the water. First Lessons in Water. It was not to be imagined, however, that proficiency in land drills would enable a pupil to swim on entering the water, but it would be of immense assistance, as the various actions would be known and naturally attempted. In order that the necessary confidence should be gained, a proper gjrdle should be used for the first lessons in the water, and when the pupil was in position the instructor would give the order, “combined arm and leg drill,” carefully noting that the whole of the body was immersed, with the chin touching the surface, the hands and arms being about three inches, and the legs about nine inches below the surface. When taking a stroke all jerky action should be avoided, the body kept steady, thS back slightly hollowed, and the head thrown back in an easy unstrained position. The instructor must see* that the pupil’s arms and legs act simultaneously, that in drawing up the legs for the kick the knees were separated, that the kick or flip was made outwards, and that the closing of the extended legs was made sharply, rounded, and with a swinging motion. Some of the Points. Other points the instructor should note were : (1) That when the legs are being drawn up, the knees are well apart, and that the soles of the feet face the surface of the water ; (2) that in kicking outwards the lower part of each leg from the knee to the toe was swept vigorously with a rounded movement, slashing the water with the front of the foot as the legs were being straightened ; and (3) that the stroke of the straightened legs was continued with vigour until they nearly touched in line with the body.