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Original poster

Why swim coaches don’t teach in water?

32 replies

CCLOVE2014 · 10/10/2022 07:56

I am not professional in teaching swim but it just doesn’t make sense to me that the swim coaches in our gym(David Lloyd) teach from the poolside and the child is clearly not understanding the correct techniques.
They have tried to push us ever since a year ago when my son was a beginner and barely was comfortable in water, they kept saying he doesn’t need to be taught in water, I insisted and they finally found a coach that was able to teach in water, my son benefited a lot from learning with the teacher in the water and he’s now confident in water. But his techniques are still very rough, they have now told me he’s too good to be taught in water. The coach is now teaching on the poolside and constantly asks my son to climb in and out of water just so he can show him the arm works on the poolside, the child gets really cold from climbing in and out of the water multiple times. My son is a DL level 4(it’s lower than the national swim level, I think it would be equivalent to a level 3), and I know at least another child at the same level is being taught in water, I think they are just pushing me because I’m nice.

I also have other friends saying their kids are learning swimming elsewhere and the teachers teach in water. I have seen the friends’ children swimming, they are at least the same level as my son if not better.

Is it just me over worrying maybe it is normal for swimming coaches to teach from poolside? Or is it them pushing me?

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Original poster
CCLOVE2014 · 10/10/2022 08:33

CCLOVE2014 · 10/10/2022 07:56

I am not professional in teaching swim but it just doesn’t make sense to me that the swim coaches in our gym(David Lloyd) teach from the poolside and the child is clearly not understanding the correct techniques.
They have tried to push us ever since a year ago when my son was a beginner and barely was comfortable in water, they kept saying he doesn’t need to be taught in water, I insisted and they finally found a coach that was able to teach in water, my son benefited a lot from learning with the teacher in the water and he’s now confident in water. But his techniques are still very rough, they have now told me he’s too good to be taught in water. The coach is now teaching on the poolside and constantly asks my son to climb in and out of water just so he can show him the arm works on the poolside, the child gets really cold from climbing in and out of the water multiple times. My son is a DL level 4(it’s lower than the national swim level, I think it would be equivalent to a level 3), and I know at least another child at the same level is being taught in water, I think they are just pushing me because I’m nice.

I also have other friends saying their kids are learning swimming elsewhere and the teachers teach in water. I have seen the friends’ children swimming, they are at least the same level as my son if not better.

Is it just me over worrying maybe it is normal for swimming coaches to teach from poolside? Or is it them pushing me?

Just to add information: It is one to one lessons that we have, sorry I didn't make it clear that it's not group lessons. I would have trusted if they keep the same standard but it is just very bizarre to me that they wanted to teach out of water ever since my child was a beginner level while there are clearly children of the same level and above are being taught in water(I personally know the parents so I know what level the kids are) . When I told them I actually know other parents in the same gym, they immediately found me a coach who teach in water, left me wondering if they were just pushing me because they thought I was new to the gym and didn't know anyone. It is because of what happened back then, I don't have much trust in what they are saying now. But you are right, if I don't like the lessons I should just change. Any recommendations please for alternative swimming lessons?

OP posts:
badbaduncle · 10/10/2022 08:22

I used to teach swimming 1:1 in the water - that is the only way you can do it. You can't teach a class and be in the pool. If you want 1 to 1 book it and pay for it.

FindingMeno · 10/10/2022 08:14

If you want a teacher in the pool, look for private lessons on a 1:1 basis.

SudocremOnEverything · 10/10/2022 08:11

It depends on the stage the kids are at. IME younger children learning techniques need someone in the water to help them do the movements. But you do still find that lots of swimming lessons programmes will have a teacher on the poolside ineffectively trying to communicate with a group of small children in a shallow pool.

As they progress up it becomes more useful for the teacher to be on the poolside because they can see their technique better from there. if they’re at club level, no coach is going to be getting in the water with them!

I’d switch lesson providers. It is very variable.

SomePosters · 10/10/2022 08:08

Having taught my own child to swim i would guess its because you cant teach 5 kids while they all hang off you.

Telling the swim teacher how to teach your ds is PFB behaviour

if you dont like their classes then change. You dont get to make the change their established successful system to suit what you think would be best foe your little darling. If you want it done your way then you need to do it

FindingMeno · 10/10/2022 08:03

It's to do with having a good overview of the whole class.
You can see their technique and correct it and ensure safety.

RewildingAmbridge · 10/10/2022 07:59

DS is on the national swim scheme he's 3, teacher in the water, when he goes up a level teacher will be poolside, at this age it's more about getting them to follow instructions and safety to have someone in the water, it's not about technique.