*. This can be used for full stroke swims as well. The kids need to learn to SPRINT ! br *. The idea is to focus on intensity for a shorter distance. Allow for rest... and then - another short distance. br *. Pre-Comp Level 1 & 2 teaches basic competitive swim skills... Just as important: Teach them to "Learn How To Learn" from a coach on the deck. br *. Positive reinforcement helps mold and change behavior. It works by praising and rewarding desired behavior, which then makes the behavior more likely to happen in the future. br --- THE DRILL --- br *. You're going to do 4 half laps. That means you're going to leave from here, go as fast as you can... stop half-way against the wall... count to ten. br *. Kick as fast as you can to the other end of the pool... Stop at the wall... Count to ten. br *. Kick back by the lane line, as fast as you can... stop half-way... count to ten. br br br br br *. And then kick the rest of the way.... back by the lane line... as fast as you can. br ---Take the time to be as explicit about each segment as possible. SWIMMER: How fast should I count? COACH: One...two...three...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine...ten. br *. No... it's not as fast as you can. I want 10 seconds. br br br br br *. You're supposed to kick as fast as you can, not count as fast as you can. br br br br br *. I want to see splashing feet behind you with pointed toes. I do not want any running legs. br ---TEACH EVERY SINGLE PROTOCAL FOR COMPETITIVE SWIM PRACTICE. br *. This... is how you leave the wall... with a kick board. br Put your other hand on the wall. Put your hand on top of the board. br Your elbows stay on the board - straight. Your other hand goes up to that hand and they are together. Put your feet flat on the wall... Turn on your side. br No face in the water... bend your knees. Oh look... there you go... now you can push! br ---Earlier, Coach Stacy told them to kick to the line going across the middle of the pool. At a pool that does not have a perpendicular mid-line, put a cone, or chair, or some kind of landmark to indicate the half-way point. br ---Teach this concept of breaking up the pool into halves by kicking first. Eventually, the kids can do these short segment swims with NO-BREATH STICKY~SWITCH HIGH ARMS and other drills.