Your student has the butterfly kick. Your student understands the recovery action of the butterfly arms. Your student’s body action and undulation is even looking good! So what is often holding your student’s butterfly skill mastery back? THE BREATH TIMING!

One of the most frustrating parts of teaching butterfly is getting our students to put it all the parts together and perform the butterfly the way it really should look. The majority of the time it is improper breath timing that is the culprit. The head position throughout the stroke is paramount, whether it’s during the entry, the pull, or the recovery of the arms.

In this short video clip, I’d like to share with you a drill that I like to use and have found it to be very helpful to my students when it comes to understanding the timing of the breath. Because the butterfly is complex skill, it still requires a lot of trial and error. In other words, it’s not a magical drill. However, at the very least, this drill will help your students understand what they are striving for each and every time you review it before your students attempt to practice it.

Would you be interested in a complete, detailed course on HOW TO TEACH THE BUTTERFLY?  Check out Swim Lessons University’s Butterfly video course.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim was the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com 

We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

When giving demonstrations in your learn-to-swim classes, there are a number of critical factors that should be taken into consideration. In fact, numerous studies have been conducted to support the following demonstration considerations:

• Status of the model (Landers and Landers, 1973)
• When the model should begin demonstrating (McCullagh, Weis, and Ross, 1989)
• Correctness of the demonstration (Landers and Landers, 1973)
• Observing incorrect demonstrations (Weir & Leavitt, 1990)
• Frequency of demonstrations (Sidaway 1992)

My goal in this blog/video on demonstrations, however, is to focus in on how the age and skill level should influence your demonstration.

Here are a Few Demonstration Guidelines:

Young Beginners (Swim 101):

• Limit your demonstrations (one or two is sufficient).
• Have them seated on a step or bench (keep them in the water).
• Perform your demonstrations toward the students so you can see them at all times.

Stroke-Ready (Swim Strokes 201) or school aged beginners(Swim 102/103):

• Limit your demonstrations (one or two is sufficient).
• Keeping your students safety in mind, you may want these students to stand so they get a better look at what you are demonstrating (Standing gives them a higher vantage point which may be helpful).
• Keeping safety in mind (each class is different), providing your students a look at the skill from different angles can be especially helpful (see video embedded below).

Advanced Strokes (Advanced Swim Strokes 300 or Lifesaving Strokes 400):

• Provide a third demonstration if you feel it would be helpful and that you still have your student’s attention

• Keeping your students safety in mind, you may want these students to stand so they get a better look at what you are demonstrating (Standing gives them a higher vantage point which may be helpful).

• Keeping safety in mind (each class is different), providing your students a look at the skill from different angles can be especially helpful (see video embedded below).

Three More Helpful Tips for ALL Ages and Skill Levels:

1. Don’t just demonstrate when a skill is new.   Demonstrate anytime you feel that feedback alone isn’t getting the job done. “Seeing it” again can be huge!
2. Make sure that you are performing the skill correctly.       Students are very good at replicating what they see (right or wrong).
3. Compare and contrast. Show the skill correctly vs. the skill incorrectly vs. the skill correctly again.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com  We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

For the first time in 20 years, The International Swimming Hall of Fame’s has honored an American as the ISHOF Virginia Hunt Newman Award recipient.  The 2015 honoree is Jim Reiser, Founder & Executive Director of Swim Lessons University.

Reiser earned this honor by following Virginia Hunt Newman’s  footsteps, bringing worldwide attention to a kind, non-forceful, non-traumatic approach to learn to swim.  As the executive director of Swim Lessons University, Jim Reiser has led the way in creating online swim instructor training courses for teaching infants, toddlers, and young children to swim using a kind, gentle method– just as Virginia did.

Swim Lessons University uses the world-wide web and DVD video courses to train and certify swimming instructors to teach with this progressive, effective, yet gentle approach.  The Virginia Hunt Newman Award is sponsored by legendary Olympian Adolph Kiefer and the World Aquatic Babies and Children Congress.

For more information on Swim Lessons University Online Swim Instructor Certification, visit www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com or call 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

Here are some highlights of the ceremony including a few words from Jim Reiser after being presented with the award:

Yesterday’s Athletic Business Magazine featured an awesome article about the L.A.P.S. swim lesson program in Charleston, S.C., which is administered by Swim Lessons University Instructor-Trainer and Learn-to-Swim Professional Shannon O’Brien. Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming, or LAPS, is a project of the locally based Logan Rutledge Foundation, which turned its focus toward teaching children swimming and water safety after the community experienced a series of drownings, notably of African-American children, in the past decade.

In the interview for the article, Shannon O’Brien talks about how she scoured over a variety of learn to swim programs before deciding on Swim Lesson University.  O Brien says the she loves the that the program provides teachers with swim lesson plans, has distinct wordings and a means of tracking the progress of each student. When a student masters a component of swimming, such as a front kick, a star is punched on a waterproof bracelet and the skill is documented.

To see the entire article written by the David Quick of the Post & Courier (Charleston, SC) and published by Athletic Business, go to this link to see it in Athletic Business Magazine.

As fate would have it, I met executive director Tankeeya Butts of the “The Josh Foundation” in an elevator on the way to my hotel room at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance symposium earlier this year in Fort Lauderdale.  We quickly recognized each other and had a wonderful conversation.  After our talk, Tankeeya decided she was very interested in Swim Lessons University and they attended our post conference swim instructor workshop at the event.  Within days after the conference, The Josh Project became SLU’s latest learn-to-swim program to take advantage of our swim teacher training system.

On behalf of Swim Lessons University, I am humbled, honored, and proud to welcome our newest program which takes place at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio–The Josh Project.  Led by Wanda and Tankeeya Butts, The Josh Project is now implementing the Swim Lessons University curriculum and swim instructor training and certification.  The Josh Project was founded in memory of John-Joshua Butts (Josh) who never had a swimming lesson, could not swim and drowned at the age of 16 on August 6, 2006.

I can’t end this blog without sharing the story behind “The Josh Project” which was also featured on CNN.  Ironically, I show this same video to my new swim instructor staff every year. Why? Because it communicates to our new swimming instructors that we do so much more than teach children to swim.  We are potentially saving lives every day. If this story I have embedded below doesn’t inspire you to teach with all your heart, to help you understand the importance of your job, to help you understand the difference you are making, nothing will…

Swim Lessons University Instructors and programs are now in 27 states and nine countries.  The state of Ohio and Florida have most recently adapted the Swim Instructor Certification and Training.

The state of Florida Department of Health has approved Swim Lessons University as an equivalent national training agency in accordance with Chapter 64E-9.008 (1) (a) of the Florida Administrative code. Swim Lessons University is currently serving recreation departments, YMCAs, JCC’s, swim schools, pool management companies and other swim lessons programs in 25 states and nine countries. Florida learn-to-swim programs can now take advantage of the state-of-the art swim lessons curriculum, affordable swim instructor certifications, and convenient training in which you can implement in-house and test online!

For more information, visit the Swim Lessons University website today or email executive director Jim Reiser at jreiser@swimprofessor.com You can also call Mr. Reiser at 803-665-8709.

The American Camp Association has added Swim Lessons University as one of the ACA’s nationally recognized Learn-to-Swim providers. Says Rhonda Mickelson, ACA Director of Standards, “we are pleased to announce Swim Lessons University is now an officially recognized provider for ACA swim lessons programs and swim instructor certification.”

Swim Lessons University makes training swimming instructors more convenient and affordable. Through video-based instructor training and online certification testing, many organizations are looking to Swim Lessons University for their services. Barb Limbo, Aquatics Specialist and Supervisor for Rapid City Recreation in South Dakota says, “The ease of training staff is great. The videos not only show the instructors how to interact with the children, they show real classes and real teachers using the actual skill progressions. Executive director Jim Reiser is wonderful and has been great to work with on the switch at our facility–making our transition much easier.“ Teri Gotro, Recreation Director in El Dorado Hills, California, posted her thoughts and video samples of her instructors using the SLU curriculum on her YouTube page.

If you would like to learn how to become a Swim Lessons University Certified Swimming Instructor, or how to implement the SLU curriculum at your facility–visit the SLU website or call the SLU National Office toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim was the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com 

We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

Swim Lessons University, in cooperation with the World Aquatic Babies and Children (WABC) Network, is now accepting applications for Instructor-Trainers.   SLU has also just released its brand new Learn-to-Swim IT Manual, which contents includes: How to administer the SLU Course at your Facility, Course Administration and Application Process and Fees, Swim Lessons Level Descriptions, How to Conduct Skill Sessions, the Practicum and Mentoring program, Acknowledging Course Participation, Swim Instructor Certification Requirements, Evaluating Teaching Skills, Safety Recommendations, Class Sizes, and Supervision.  The appendixes also include an Instructor Assessment/15 Point Analysis as well the Learn-to-Swim Professional License.

Swim Lessons University would like to offer a SPECIAL THANKS to the facilities and program coordinators who have been serving as the “living laboratories” while additional components were being developed.

Barbara Limbo, Rapid City Recreation – Rapid City, South Dakota

Shannon O’Brien, Charleston Country Schools / L.A.P.S. Program – Charleston, SC

Anne Marie Boehlert, City of Shelton Recreation – Shelton, Connecticut

Teri Gotro, El Dorado Hills Recreation– El Dorado Hills, California

In addition, the following aquatic programs are now proudly utilizing the Swim Lessons University curriculum and instructor training materials:  City of Mt. Sterling, University of Mississippi, City of Sparks, Nevada, Helper City, Utah, City of Columbus, Nebraska, City of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, City of San Carlos, California, City of Manhattan Beach, California, City of Natchitoches, Louisiana, City of Manitou Springs, Fox Valley YMCA, Springfield YMCA, Sarasota YMCA, Southern Alabama University, Surburban Seahawks, Newton Square, PA, I Swim U.,  Safety Before Skill Swim School, AZ, Montana Swim School, Orlando Metro Gymnastics & Swim School, Orlando, FL, Swim Kids, FL, Sparkling Pool Services, NJ, NY & PA, and many more private swimming instructors, swim schools, pool management companies, and Y’s. Swim Lessons University sincerely thanks you for your support and loyalty.

For more information on how you can offer the Swim Lessons University at your facility, contact Swim Lessons University today at 803-665-8709 or email jreiser@swimprofessor.com
Here is Recreation Supervisor and Aquatic Director, Teri Gotro of El Dorado Hills, CA–speaking about her experience with Swim Lessons University AND sharing some video highlights of her SLU Certified staff in action:

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com  We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

Once your students have a hang of the “general idea” of the butterfly stroke, then it is time to start refining some of the details. In this video clip, you can see 6-year old McKinley is figuring out the opportune time to get the head beneath the surface. On her first two strokes, she drops her head prematurely which throws off the timing and interferes with the recovery. When the head goes down too early, so do the shoulders, which prevent an nice, smooth recovery of the arms (you recover after each pull). While she still has plenty to work on (what 6 year old doesn’t?), she does a fabulous job putting figuring out the necessary head position relative to the recovery and entry!

***Note McKinley is also wearing a pair of Finis Zoomers. I like the Zoomers because the blade is short, keeping the kick action more similar to their kick than would long blade flippers. At the same time, the short blade Zoomers still provide additional propulsion which helps young learners get higher in the water and gives them a better chance to make technique improvements. For more detailed video instruction on how to teach the butterfly, check out Swim Lessons University for Swim Instructor DVDs, as well as Online Swim Instructor Certification opportunities.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com  We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

As the American Red Cross raises it’s fees for swim lesson programs and it’s Water Safety Instructor certification, the interest in an alternative swim instructor certification is on the rise.   One of those alternatives is the Swim Lessons University Swimming Instructor training program.

Barb Limbo, Aquatic Director for the Rapid City Aquatics Recreation Department in South Dakota comments, “We have adapted the Swim Lesson University program. The ease of training staff is great. The videos show the instructors how to interact with children, not just show the progressions of the strokes.   Swim Lessons University is wonderful and has been great to work with on the switch at our facility–making our transition much easier.”

There are several real advantages, in addition to it being more cost effective solution for recreation departments, YMCA’s, and swim schools.   To name a few, all training can be done in-house.  SLU training features video-based courses so swim instructor candidates get to learn from watching real learn-to-swim classes and expert instructors vs. the traditional textbook approach.  Swim Lessons University training is also very convenient as swim teachers do all their testing online.

Former USA Olympian, 1988 Silver Medalist, and swim school owner Beth Barr speaks of Jim Reiser and Swim Lessons University:

“Your appreciation and knowledge of the sport, your business sense and your understanding of children and how they learn is revolutionizing the swim lesson industry.   Your efforts have not only given me the confidence to start BARRacuda Swim Works, they have also reminded me of the critical importance of our profession. Your passion is apparent and catching – it is important to teach children and their parents how to enjoy the water, safely, and to help them develop a skill they can enjoy their entire life.”

The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim.  Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University Online Swim Instructor Certification  and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com

Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!

You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).