**Summer-League Basics: Forward Starts and Relay Starts**

It’s that time of year, when kids come out of the woodwork to swim with their local club, rec-center, or country-club team. If you’re lucky enough to coach summer league, one of your biggest challenges is teaching kids how to start from the blocks and to do relay starts without getting DQ’d. This week is all about Forward Starts 101.

**Monday**

**Drill – Deep Pool Vertical Entry**

If you've got a big group of kids who need to learn forward-start basics, start 'em here. Fun, safe drill teaches how to have a rigid bodyline and a clean entry.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1609-starts-deep-pool-vertical-entry>

**Tuesday**

**Steve Haufler – Streamline Jumps**

Steve Haufler starts teaching the forward start on land, with streamline jumps.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2109-streamline-jumps>

**Wednesday**

**Cullen Jones (4-Step Dive Progression)**

When Olympic gold medallist Cullen Jones teaches kids how to dive, he uses this four-step process.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/929-forward-start-4-step-learning-progression>

**Thursday**

**Drill – St. Andrews Starts**

We love this progression for teaching the forward start and for teaching kids how to pierce the water on their entry. The flat-back dive really works!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2050-starts-st-andrews-starts>

**Friday**

**Steve Haufler – Side Fall Over Noodle**

When teaching young swimmers to dive, you need a huge tool kit. Here's one trick from teaching guru Steve Haufler.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2121-side-fall-over-noodle-streamline-dive>

**Saturday**

**Drill – Dive and Glide**

What kind of line do you carry into the water from your start? Here's how to improve.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1907-all-strokes-dive-and-glide>

**Sunday**

**Drill – Relay Starts – Teamwork**

At the heart of summer swimming are RELAYS! Once kids know the basics of the forward start, it's time to have some fun with relays in practice.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1982-relay-starts-team-work-with-york-ymca>

**Swimming Camp and Technique Review**

Glenn discussed his upcoming summer swimming camp and shared his excitement about working with Diego, focusing on teaching lane etiquette and organization to new master swimmers. He mentioned his personal swimming preparation, including a mile swim in Lake Michigan, and expressed his commitment to promoting inclusivity in the sport. The group reviewed videos on vertical entries and emphasized the importance of safety and proper technique during summer league starts.

**Swimming Vertical Entry Techniques**

Glenn discussed the importance of teaching proper vertical entry techniques in swimming, emphasizing the need for students to maintain a rigid body position and stabilize their core. He explained that the entry should be straight and that students should aim to "pierce" the water, requiring at least 7 feet of water depth, preferably deeper. Glenn also highlighted the significance of observing the splash created by the entry to assess whether the student jumped high enough and didn't lean too far forward, suggesting games to help students improve their technique.

**Efficient Swimming Jump Techniques**

Glenn discussed the importance of teaching swimmers to perform a clean and efficient jump into the water, emphasizing the need for pointed toes to minimize resistance and drag. He highlighted the difference between a pointed toe entry and a flat foot entry, noting that a clean entry results in less surface area and smaller splashes. Glenn also stressed the importance of maintaining a streamline position and jumping higher to improve technique, while cautioning against stepping in without a proper jump.

**Swimming Technique Teaching Strategies**

Glenn discussed proper swimming techniques, focusing on streamlining and push-offs from the wall. He emphasized the importance of teaching children to push off in a streamlined position and transfer power through their arms. Glenn shared a conversation with David Marsh about the challenges of teaching proper technique, even at elite swimming programs. He also provided tips for teaching starts and emphasized the importance of taking small steps and avoiding injuries when teaching young swimmers.

**Water Entry Technique Training Demo**

Glenn demonstrated a progressive teaching method for water entry techniques, starting with seated and kneeling positions before advancing to standing entries. He emphasized the importance of maintaining hand and foot contact with the water during entry to minimize splash and impact, gradually increasing the distance from the wall as athletes become more comfortable. The technique focuses on a "fall" rather than a "push" entry, with Glenn suggesting the use of target markers and bands to help athletes improve their form incrementally.

**Teaching Athletes Safe Water Entries**

Glenn discussed the importance of teaching athletes to perform a controlled fall into the water rather than a jump, emphasizing the need for patience and gradual progression. He highlighted the significance of maintaining a flat back position and proper body alignment during the entry, as well as the importance of ensuring the water depth is appropriate for the athlete's comfort. Glenn also stressed the need to connect arm movements with the fall to create an active start, and he demonstrated how to adjust the distance of the jump based on the athlete's ability.

**Beginner Swimming Techniques Overview**

Glenn discussed teaching swimming techniques to beginners, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression and adapting methods based on the swimmer's age and development level. He suggested starting with simple techniques like pushing off the wall or side before advancing to more complex skills like diving and gliding. Glenn also highlighted the importance of maintaining a good body position and line while swimming, rather than focusing solely on underwater dolphin kicks, which he noted can sometimes be slower than regular swimming for young children.

**Efficient Swimming Techniques Explained**

Glenn discussed swimming techniques, focusing on body position and foot movement to maintain speed and efficiency. He emphasized the importance of a rigid body line and avoiding unnecessary movements that can slow down a swimmer. Glenn also highlighted the concept of "ailerons" in swimming, comparing it to the control surfaces on an airplane, and explained how improper use of feet can scrub off speed. He used examples from videos to illustrate these points and stressed the need for swimmers to focus on clean, efficient movements.

**Swimming Relay Takeoff Techniques**

Glenn discussed techniques for teaching relay takeoffs and marking spots in swimming, emphasizing the importance of understanding momentum, pool depth, and angles. He explained how to adjust starting positions based on the incoming swimmer's speed and the depth of the pool. Glenn also introduced a timer feature in their app to help coaches and athletes improve their timing for relay starts.

**Swimming Start Techniques and Timing**

Glenn discussed the importance of precise timing and technique in swimming starts, emphasizing that swimmers should aim for a takeoff time within 0.3 to 0.1 seconds to avoid disqualifications. He shared his experience using high-speed cameras to analyze relay takeoffs and highlighted the value of tracking incoming swimmers to optimize start timing. Glenn also stressed the need for swimmers, especially younger ones, to focus on skill development over fitness, noting that proper technique can significantly improve performance in shorter races.

**Swimming Stroke Teaching Strategies**

Glenn discussed the importance of teaching a variety of strokes and skills to attract and retain swimmers, emphasizing the need to focus on fundamentals rather than specializing in the 50-meter event. He and Barbara planned to cover teaching progressions for open turns at the next meeting. The group also discussed which strokes are most challenging to maintain personal best times in as swimmers age, with breaststroke and butterfly being commonly cited as difficult.


Sign In to watch video

June 10, 2025 - Summer League Starts