Swimming is a rewarding activity, offering a multitude of physical and mental health benefits to learners of all ages. Here at Flower Mound Swim Lessons, we take great pride in teaching fundamental swimming skills that not only enhance health and wellness but also provide a fun and engaging experience for learners. Two such advanced skills that we focus on are flip turns and diving, both crucial for taking your swimming abilities to the next level.

Flip Turns: The Gateway to Efficient Swimming

Flip turns, also known as tumble turns, are an essential skill for young swimmers to master, especially as they start swimming longer distances and performing repetitive sets of 50m, 100m, and beyond. Mastering this skill allows swimmers to keep moving without interrupting their rhythm to touch the wall and turn around. It also helps maximize practice time within a lesson and improve the speed of young swimmers as they start to work on timed sets.

At Flower Mound Swim Lessons, we believe in breaking down skills and adding to them as each element is mastered. Here are the steps we use to teach flip turns:

Step 1: Somersault to Streamline Stand

First, we line up swimmers and have them practice a somersault, finishing by standing with their arms in the streamline position. This step is repeated until mastered.

Step 2: Somersault to Streamline Feet on the Wall

Next, swimmers start from a position where their hand is almost touching the wall. They are instructed to tumble and aim for their feet to touch the wall. Once they can push off with power in a streamlined position, they move on to the next step.

Step 3: Add a Twist, Push, and Streamline Kick

Once swimmers consistently hit the wall with their feet and can push off with power, we add a twist so they push off on their side and rotate on the push off to face the bottom of the pool. This step is also repeated until mastered.

Step 4: Swim Freestyle, Tumble Turn with a Twist, Streamline Kicks Out

The final step involves swimmers practicing the full motion as a relay in 2 or 3 lanes if pool space allows. This practice enables them to approach the wall with speed to help get a powerful push off as they head in the other direction.

Remember, teaching flip turns requires lots of patience, practice, and repetition. Each step may take several lessons for swimmers to get it right. At Flower Mound Swim Lessons, we ensure you have the time you need to learn each step properly and practice until it is perfect.

Diving: The Thrill of Entering the Water

Diving is another advanced skill we focus on at Flower Mound Swim Lessons. Learning to dive not only adds to a swimmer's repertoire of skills but also adds an element of fun and excitement to their swimming sessions. Here are some steps we follow to teach diving:

Step 1: Demonstrate the Proper Diving Stance

We begin by demonstrating the proper diving stance on land. The learner is guided to place their arms straight above their head, tuck their chin slightly towards the chest, keep their hands on top of one another, and assume a kneeling position with one knee on the ground and the other towards the chest.

Step 2: Practice the Stance

Once the stance is demonstrated, learners practice it on their own a few times. They lean forward on their front leg and push off their back leg, leading with their fingers, just as they would in a dive.

Step 3: Reassure and Encourage

At Flower Mound Swim Lessons, we believe that every swim stroke taken is a step towards better health, confidence, and enjoyment. Our mission is to support every swimmer, from their first splash to their confident dive. We're dedicated to nurturing not only proficient swimmers but also resilient individuals who understand and appreciate the role of physical and mental well-being in their lives.

To the parents in our community, we say this: Enrolling your child in our swimming programs is about more than teaching them a valuable life skill. It's about introducing them to a world of health benefits and the unique joy of moving through water. It's about helping them build strength, endurance, and a positive relationship with their bodies. It's about offering them a fun, rewarding activity that they can enjoy throughout their lives.

To our adult learners, we want you to know that it's never too late to take the plunge. Whether you're a beginner just testing the waters, or an experienced swimmer looking to refine your technique, Flower Mound Swim Lessons is here for you. We provide a supportive, friendly environment where you can challenge yourself, meet new friends, and reap the manifold benefits of swimming.