The Strokes
One of the fundamental goals of any swimming program is to provide an opportunity for all swimmers to develop good swimming technique in all four strokes. Special Olympics aquatics coaches need to have a good knowledge of the basic principles required to master these strokes. These principles are developed through a variety of progressive practices within this coaching guide.
Throughout this section we will look at the body position, leg action, arm action and breathing aspects of the four strokes. We will also look at teaching the stroke and give teaching points and practices. This exercise is not exhaustive. Experienced coaches may have further teaching points and practices that can be incorporated in the development of the athlete's swimming program.
In addition, we will generally move the teaching progression from land drills to pool drills and activities in shallow to chest-deep water. A distance is sometimes added to the activity which oftentimes includes the complete stroke — arm stroke with the respective kick.
