Training Science & Competition Skills
•Year 8
•Swimming
•Ensure diving area is clearly marked and free from swimmers
Alternative: If shallow pool, adapt to sitting/crouching starts from poolside
Distribute to students for peer timing during practice
Alternative: Pool clock, smartphone timers in waterproof cases
Placed at pool edge for warm-up activities
Alternative: Pull buoys can be used for some drills
Ensure lanes are clearly defined and students know their allocated lane
Alternative: None - essential for safety and organisation
Place at intervals to mark underwater glide distances (3m, 5m, 7m markers)
Alternative: Visual markers on pool deck
A body position where arms are extended overhead, hands locked, head between arms, and body fully stretched to minimise water resistance
Kicking motion performed underwater after dive entry to maintain speed and momentum before surfacing
The moment when a swimmer surfaces from underwater and transitions into their swimming stroke
A simultaneous up-and-down kicking motion with both legs together, creating a wave-like movement through the body
The beginning sequence of a competitive swimming race, including dive, underwater phase, and breakout
The forward-moving force and speed carried from the dive through the underwater phase
The phase immediately after water entry where the swimmer maintains streamline position and travels forward using the power from the dive
The point where the body enters the water during a dive, ideally at a shallow angle through the same hole
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Subject-specific vocabulary development, giving clear verbal feedback to peers, following multi-step verbal instructions, describing technique using precise terminology.
Measuring and recording underwater distances in metres, calculating improvements between attempts, timing using stopwatches (seconds and decimals), comparing performance data, working with averages of multiple timed attempts.
Forces and motion - understanding drag and resistance in water, how streamlined shapes reduce friction. Human biology - cardiovascular response to exercise, breathing and oxygen use during underwater swimming, muscle function during different kick types.
Hydrodynamics - water resistance and how body position affects speed through water, angle of entry affecting splash and efficiency, momentum and its conservation during glide phase.
Goal-setting and self-improvement, resilience when facing challenging physical skills, peer support and constructive feedback, managing nervousness and performance pressure, celebrating personal achievement rather than comparison with others.
Position on pool deck at diving area corner for maximum visibility of all diving activity, underwater phases, and waiting students. During swim sections, move to mid-pool deck position for observation of full lanes. Must maintain visual contact with all students continuously.
Priority 1: Safety - watch for distress, excessive breath-holding, collisions. Priority 2: Technique - monitor streamline position, kick mechanics, breakout timing. Priority 3: Engagement - ensure all students actively participating and receiving feedback.
["Step in immediately if student shows signs of breath-holding distress", "Intervene if diving technique poses safety risk (e.g., diving too shallow)", "Provide individual support if student is significantly struggling or losing confidence", "Stop activity if water space becomes unsafe due to crowding or organisation breakdown", "Offer additional demonstration or breakdown if multiple students not understanding technique"]
Demonstrate each new skill both on pool deck (for body position) and in water (for movement). Use slow-motion demonstration first, then real-time. Show common errors alongside correct technique for contrast. If unable to demonstrate personally due to lesson management, use confident student as demonstrator under close instruction. Repeat demonstrations as needed - visual learners require multiple viewings.
Swimming pool with designated deep end diving area minimum 2.5 metres depth, clear water space of at least 3 metres in front of diving area, 15-metre marked swimming lanes
Pool water clarity verified (bottom visible), appropriate chlorine levels, water temperature 27-29°C for comfortable swimming, no floating debris or hazards
Immediate whistle blast for emergency stop - all students hold position and look to teacher. If student in distress underwater: immediate entry and rescue using reach or swim rescue techniques. For injury: activate emergency action plan, assign student to call for help, provide first aid/CPR as required, ensure other students safely supervised and removed from immediate area.
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