Quick answer
Body position, kicking and breathing out underwater come before full strokes, because every stroke and SwimSafer skill is built on them. Rushed basics lead to a lifted head, sinking hips and slower progress later.
Every parent wants to see their child swimming freestyle across the pool. We want that too. But at 02H Swim School, we do not rush there. Our coaches spend a lot of time and effort on the swimming basics first: body position, kicking and blowing bubbles. These are the foundation of every stroke and of the SwimSafer Programme, and they decide how far your child can go.
Here is how our lessons are taught, what our coaches look out for, and why getting the basics right is the fastest way to become a strong, safe swimmer in the long run.
What Are the Swimming Basics?
Before your child learns any full stroke, we make sure three things are done well and done consistently:
- Body position: lying flat and streamlined in the water, with the head in line and hips near the surface.
- Kicking: a steady, continuous kick from the hips with long, relaxed legs.
- Blowing bubbles through the nose: breathing out calmly underwater so the face can stay in the water without panic.
Only when these are strong do we add the freestyle arm action. This follows the same order as the BLABT framework (Body position, Legs, Arms, Breathing, Timing) that qualified coaches use to teach every stroke.
Body Position Comes First
Body position is the B in BLABT, and it is the starting point for everything. A swimmer who lies flat moves through the water easily. A swimmer whose hips and legs sink has to fight the water on every lap.
Our coaches check body position in every drill, from push and glides to kicking on a board. If the head lifts or the hips drop, we fix it before moving on.
Kicking and Bubbles Before Freestyle Arms
A strong kick keeps the body up and moving. Calm bubbles through the nose keep the swimmer relaxed with their face in the water. Together, they make freestyle arms easy to add later. Without them, children tend to lift their head to breathe, stop kicking, and sink.
That is why we spend a lot of lesson time on kicking drills and bubble work, even before your child starts on the freestyle arm action.
What Our Coaches Take Note of in Every Lesson
- Head position: is the head still and in line, or lifting and turning too much?
- Hip height: are the hips near the surface, or dropping?
- Kick source: is the kick coming from the hips, or only from bent knees?
- Kick rhythm: is the kick steady and continuous, or stopping and starting?
- Breathing out: are the bubbles coming out steadily through the nose, or is the breath being held?
- Calmness: is the face relaxed in the water, or is the child tense?
- Consistency: can the skill be repeated well every time, not just once?
We only move on when the skill is consistent. Doing it right once is a good start. Doing it right every time is mastery.
How Long Does It Take to Master the Basics?
It depends on each child, just like progress through the SwimSafer Programme. Some children get there in a few weeks. Others need a few months. Age, confidence in the water, and how often they swim all play a part. Our coaches move at your child's pace and let you know what they are working on at every stage.
Bad Basics Snowball Into Bigger Problems
When the basics are rushed, small problems grow. A weak kick or a lifted head does not go away when arms are added. It gets bigger.
- Bad head position: lifting the head to breathe drops the hips and legs, and the whole stroke falls apart.
- Weak mental strength: a child who struggles to stay afloat feels tired and scared, and starts to lose confidence in the water.
- Bad strokes: habits built on a weak foundation are hard to undo later and take far longer to correct than to learn right the first time.
- Failing the SwimSafer Programme: the SwimSafer Programme stages need continuous swims, treading and survival skills. Poor basics make these very hard to pass.
- Slow lap times: a swimmer fighting drag spends energy going up and down instead of forward, so every lap is slower.
Learning Fast Does Not Always Mean Learning Well
We understand that parents want to see progress. It can be tempting for a swim school to move children onto strokes quickly to show fast results. At 02H, we would rather take the time to do it properly. We focus on the basics because it is what is best for your child, not what looks fastest in the first month.
Children with strong basics often speed ahead later. Their strokes come together more smoothly, their SwimSafer skills are easier to master, and they swim with calm confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basics of swimming?
The basics are body position, kicking and breathing out underwater. They are the foundation of every swimming stroke and should be consistent before full strokes are taught.
Why does my child do so much kicking in swimming lessons?
A strong, steady kick keeps the body flat and moving. It supports every stroke and many SwimSafer Programme skills, so coaches build it before adding arm actions.
Why should children blow bubbles through the nose?
Breathing out through the nose stops water going up the nose and helps children stay calm with their face in the water. It is the first step to relaxed freestyle breathing.
How long does it take to learn the swimming basics?
Anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on your child's age, confidence and how often they swim.
Build Strong Basics With 02H
Book a free trial and see how our coaches build kicking, body position and breathing the right way, so your child becomes a safe and confident swimmer.
Book a Free Trial on WhatsAppStrong basics today mean better strokes, safer swimming and faster laps tomorrow. Explore our learn to swim programme, our classes, meet our coaches, or read more on the 02H blog. We help every child grow from Zero 2 Hero, safely.