To teach a child the breaststroke kick, focus on breaking the movement down into distinct, easy-to-understand stages, starting with dry-land practice before moving to the water. The core of the kick involves a powerful "frog kick" motion that propels them forward.
Mastering the Breaststroke Kick for Kids
Teaching the breaststroke kick, often called the "frog kick," involves guiding a child through a sequence of leg movements designed to efficiently trap and push water. It emphasizes a symmetrical, powerful squeeze of the legs.
Dry-Land Practice: Building the Foundation
Before entering the water, practicing the breaststroke kick on dry land helps children understand the muscle memory required.
- Sitting "Froggy" Kick:
- Have the child sit on the edge of a pool deck or a low bench with their legs dangling or stretched out.
- Instruct them to bend their knees outwards as they bring their heels towards their bottom, keeping their knees about hip-width apart. This is the recovery phase.
- Once heels are close to their bottom, have them flex their ankles and turn their feet out (like a duck).
- Finally, tell them to push their legs out straight and squeeze them together, as if pushing water backward and then bringing their feet to touch.
- Repeat this sequence slowly, focusing on each step.
- Lying "Froggy" Kick:
- Have the child lie on their stomach on the floor, pretending to swim.
- Guide them through the same three steps: knees bend outwards, heels up; feet flexed and turned out; push back and squeeze legs straight.
- Ensure they understand that the "squeeze" at the end is crucial for propulsion.
In-Water Drills: Applying the Kick
Once the child understands the motion on dry land, transition to the water with supportive drills.
- Holding the Wall:
- Have the child hold onto the edge of the pool deck with outstretched arms, lying on their stomach.
- Guide them to perform the breaststroke kick, focusing solely on the leg movement. Encourage them to observe how their legs "trap" the water.
- Ensure their knees stay relatively high and don't drop too deep, which can reduce efficiency.
- Kickboard Practice:
- Provide a kickboard for support, allowing the child to float horizontally.
- Instruct them to perform the breaststroke kick, concentrating on feeling the water resistance and how each kick propels them forward.
- Remind them to keep their head down (looking at the bottom) and only lift to breathe when necessary, maintaining a streamlined body position.
- Credible Source Example: For visual aids on kickboard drills, see resources from reputable swimming organizations like this one... (Replace with actual link to USA Swimming or similar).
The Three Key Stages of the Breaststroke Kick
Understanding the three distinct stages is vital for a powerful and efficient kick. This is how you effectively trap the water between your legs for propulsion.
- Recovery (Bend and Bring):
- Action: The legs begin extended and together. The first step involves bending your knees outwards as you bring them to the sides, simultaneously bringing your heels up towards your bottom. Your knees should be about hip-width apart, and your feet should be close to your glutes.
- Purpose: This readies the legs for the powerful outward sweep.
- Preparation (Turn Out):
- Action: From the recovery position, the ankles quickly flex, and the feet turn outwards, creating a flat surface like a duck's foot.
- Purpose: This foot position is crucial for catching and pushing the maximum amount of water during the propulsion phase.
- Propulsion (Trap and Squeeze):
- Action: The legs forcefully push outwards and backward in a circular motion, then squeeze together until they are fully extended and touching. This is where you trap the water between your legs and push it directly behind you.
- Purpose: This powerful squeeze is what generates the forward momentum.
Common Challenges and Solutions
| Challenge | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Bicycle" Kick | Legs move like riding a bike, one after the other. | Emphasize both legs moving simultaneously. Use dry-land drills to reinforce the symmetrical movement. |
| Narrow Kick | Knees don't open wide enough, reducing water catch. | Encourage wider knee placement during recovery, focusing on the "froggy" shape. |
| Knees Dropping Too Low | Knees sink deep below the body line during recovery. | Focus on keeping knees relatively high, closer to the body, and hip-width apart. Practice against a wall. |
| No Forward Movement | Kicking but not moving efficiently or at all. | Highlight the importance of ankle flexibility (dorsiflexion) and the powerful squeeze at the end of the kick. |
| Feet Not Turning Out | Feet remain pointed backward throughout the kick. | Exaggerate the "duck feet" or "flexed foot" position during dry-land practice. |
Tips for Success
- Make it Fun: Incorporate games and positive reinforcement to keep the child engaged.
- Patience and Repetition: Learning a new skill takes time. Consistent, short practice sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.
- Focus on One Step: When introducing, focus on mastering one part of the kick before moving to the next.
- Demonstrate: Show them exactly what the kick should look like, both on land and in the water.
- Ankle Flexibility: Encourage gentle ankle stretches. Flexible ankles are key to catching water efficiently.
- Body Position: Remind them to keep their body streamlined (flat in the water) and not to sit up too much.
By breaking down the breaststroke kick into these manageable steps and providing consistent, positive guidance, children can effectively learn this fundamental swimming skill.
