- Check the space and the kit.
- Get your child's attention first.
- Show it from two sides.
- Say one thing only.
- End on one that works.
Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.
Is the space marked?
A lane to yourself; a towel or flag at the far end to sight on.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Push off and swim 20 strokes with the head down, then stop and look: how far from the line are you?
- Swim 10 strokes with the head out, eyes on the flag.
- Swim again, taking only a quick look up just before turning to breathe.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Swim 20 strokes with the head down, stop, and see how far you drifted from the line.
- Head-up front crawl: 10 strokes with the head out, eyes on the flag.
- Take 2 fewer head-up strokes each round, until it is a quick look just before a breath.
How much: 3 drift swims and 4 head-up rounds
Quick look, then breathe
Guess your drift
The rules
Before you look up, say which way you drifted; a point when you are right and close.
- Swim 20 strokes head down along the middle of the lane
- Stop and, before looking, say "left", "right" or "straight"
- Look: you tell them how far they drifted
- 6 swims
Fair play: A grown-up swims 30 strokes.
- Points
- 1 point for the right guess; 1 point for finishing within one lane width of the line.
- Fouls
- No points for that swim: peeking before the guess; touching the lane line; stopping before 20 strokes
- Win
- Beat your best from 6 swims.
- 4
- 8
- 12
3 head-down swims of 20 strokes that finish within one lane width of the line.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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