Grade 7 - Introduction to Swimming

Grade 7 - Introduction to Swimming

Introduction to Swimming

• A sport that requires the use of one's body to move in water

• Swimming is considered to be a life-saving skill as well as a competitive sport. 

• Once you learn to swim, you can enjoy many hours of fun while getting valuable exercise at the beach, river or pool.

Brief History of Swimming

• Prehistoric man learnt to swim in order to cross rivers and lakes 

• 2500 BC - There were Egyptian hieroglyphics that depicted swimming.  

• 17th Century - Japanese Emperor ruled that school children should learn swimming.

• In early 19th century, the National Swimming Society of Great Britain began to hold competitions.

Brief History of Swimming (Continued)

• Most early swimmers used the breaststroke, or a form of it

• 1846 (Please note this corrected date) - The first swimming championship in Sydney Australia was held.

• 1896 - The sport made its debut at the Olympic Games

• 1908 - The Federation Internationale De Natation de Amateur (FINA) was form.

Multiple Choice

When did the Japanese Emperor rule that school children should learn to swimming?

• 17th Century

• 16th Century

• 19th Century

• 18th Century

Multiple Choice

The first swim championship was held in which country?

• Great Britain

• United Kingdom

• Sydney Australia

• New Zealand

Multiple Choice

In what year was FINA formed

• 1845

• 1908

• 1906

• 1896

Pool Rules

Safety rules are put in place not only to protect you but also to protect the pool. Rules vary at different pools, but it’s very important that wherever you go, these rules are adhered to. 

Examples of Pool Rules

• Do not run on the pool deck

• No pushing

• No rough play

• Use the bathroom, not the pool

• Shower before entering the pool.

• No student is allowed to be on the pool deck without a teacher present

Open Ended

Explain briefly why each of the following pool rules are important.

1) Do not run on the pool deck

2) No rough play

3) Shower before entering the pool

Basic Principles of Swimming

• Streamline

• Propulsion

• Buoyancy

• Floating

Streamlining

• Streamlining means that you keep your body in a way that will allow you to move through or across the water smoothly while swimming. 

• The best way to do this is by keeping your body as straight as possible with your arms and legs fully extended. 

• If your body is streamlined while swimming the water will offer less resistance and you will able to move through it faster. 

Propulsion

• Propulsion in swimming refers to the movement of the arms and legs which cause the entire body to move forward while in the water.

• The arms and hands pull as the legs and feet kick to move the body.

Buoyancy

• Buoyancy is the ability to keep your body close to the surface of the water .

• Most swimming strokes are performed better, if you have good buoyancy. 

• Both streamlining and propulsion help you to maintain buoyancy, because once your body is straight and your arms and legs are moving properly you will find your entire body close to the surface of the water.

Floating

• Floating is closely related to buoyancy.

• Floating refers to keeping your body close to or just on the surface of the water without moving. 

• Floating and swimming are considered to be life saving skills because they can help to save your life or that of someone else if the need arises.

Multiple Select

A proper streamline will create resistance in the water.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Propulsion in swimming refers to the movement of the arms and legs

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Which two swimming principles help you to maintain good buoyancy? Select ALL that apply.

• Breathing

• Propulsion

• Streamlining

• Floating

Multiple Choice

Floating is closely related to which of the swimming principles?

• Treading

• Propulsion

• Streamlining

• Buoyancy