Swimming Scientifically Taught | Page 7

in order to do so one has to lie on a
piano stool or bench. I discourage this method because the pressure on
the abdomen is injurious. After some practise of these movements out
of water, we then take the pupil into the water. When the beginner
enters the water, it is best for him to be held in a horizontal position by
an overhead trolley attached to a belt strapped around the waist, or else
held up in the water by the instructor, as per illustration. The four arm
movements are tried first, care being taken that the hands do not come
out of the water. At the same time they should be kept as near the
surface as possible without splashing, care being taken that, on the last
movement, the elbows are dropt and the hands kept up in the water.
This movement keeps the head up in the water. Should the hands be
dropt, the head will sink. The pupil should keep his mouth open all the
time, not worrying whether the water enters or not. By this means

breathing becomes natural.
[Illustration: THE BREAST STROKE--TEACHING WITH
TROLLEY AND INSTRUCTOR]
The leg movements are then taken up. The best way is for the pupil,
with the left hand, to hold onto the rail that lines the pool and to use the
palm of the right hand lower down in the water, against the side of the
pool, as in Fig. 13, thereby holding the body and legs up in the water, if
the back is arched. The legs should be drawn up, the knees and toes
well turned out, and the legs then kicked straight out and brought
smartly together. This combined movement forces a wedge of water to
be shot behind the legs, forcing the body ahead. The legs are kept
stationary for a moment and then drawn up to the starting position.
[Illustration: FIGURE 14]
[Illustration: FIGURE 13--THE LEG MOVEMENT]
[Illustration: FIGURE 15]
After practising these movements it is a good plan for the pupil to
throw himself gently on the water with his face submerged, and so do
the leg movements alone, the arms being held straight in front a couple
of inches below the surface. As long as the head is under water the legs
will not sink. It is surprizing the confidence one gets in doing these leg
movements with the face under water. It takes away all fear, especially
if the eyes are kept open. When the pupil's breath gives out, he or she
should bend backward by hollowing the back, bringing the arms around
in line with the shoulders, when the feet will slowly sink and the pupil
can easily regain a standing position.
[Illustration: FIGURE 16]
When the arm and leg movements are to be done together, the pupil has
to concentrate his mind on the four movements. To start, one must have
the legs straight behind, keeping them motionless till the pupil gets to
fourth movement of the arm stroke, when the arms and legs should be

the same as in Fig. 14. On the first and the second movements, which
form a continuous movement for the legs, shoot the arms straight out
and hold them there until the straightened out legs come together, as in
Fig. 15. Then the legs should be kept rigid, while the hands are turned
and the arms brought around in a straight line with the shoulders, as in
Fig. 16. Finish the stroke by drawing the legs up and the hands in to the
starting position, as in Fig. 14. These combined movements will be
difficult at first, as the movements do not go together, as in the back
stroke.
When the rhythm begins to assert itself, the best way to practise is with
the head under water. Then the pupil can think of his arm and leg
movements without the bother and exertion of holding his head above
water.
CHANGING FROM BACK TO BREAST STROKE
The change from back to breast or vice versa is simple if done slowly.
Let us assume the pupil while swimming is using the breast stroke and
wishes to turn over. When in position as in Fig. 15, the pupil should
roll over on the left side, lifting the right arm out of the water; he will
then be in the second back stroke position, ready to continue.
To turn from the back to the breast the movement is a little quicker, to
prevent the legs sinking too low. From position on the back as in Fig. 5,
roll over on the right side, lifting the left arm out of the water so that
the hands meet straight in front. Then quickly snap the legs straight
together and bring the arms around in line with the shoulders and