Introduction To Little Snapper Training For Trainers

Congratulations! You get to introduce a teacher to the world of Baby Swimming at HFSS. A lot of thought has been incorporated into this training. Don't get frustrated if you don't cover every trick and skill involved in teaching Little Snappers. Your goal as the trainer is to use this Water Training Guide to make sure the trainee leaves your class with all the “Skills to Focus On” for that given half hour. Build the focus of your class around what is assigned to you that half hour. Talk about how you would modify certain aspects to accommodate different levels - LS1, LS2, LSA.

Explaining the why’s is not meant just for your Trainee - They should be incorporated as part of your class and communicated with the parents - each and every class. Explain the expectations of what hand holds and skills should look like and why. Make sure to talk about tactful ways to correct and help parents succeed. 

If you’re unsure on “the whys”, go back to the Talent Course or ask your site or DS! 

Teaching Little Snappers is fun and rewarding. Your trainee will notice almost immediately that the parents and students are excited to see you, excited to get in the water and ready to learn! There will be a scared never ever or a 2 year old that is kicking and screaming because he just wants to swim and does not want to be held. The trainee will be listening to you and your interactions with parents. They will see the trusting bonds that keep us all connected in the water. Your knowledge and experience will be a valuable asset to move this trainee forward to their own success. Keep smiling and do what you do best, you are one of the BEST!

Share with your trainees that we are teaching the parents how to teach their children. Remind the trainee that the parent will be practicing at home and we will not be with them! Ask what the parents' goals are for their child? Articulating goals for each student is important as the students are all on different levels in their journey to become safer and independent in the water.

Notes on how to get “Skills to Focus On” in while staying close to the normal class structure:

Some adjustments will have to be made when working with a trainee. For example, the FOW (Focus of the Week) might be “backfloating” this week and this half hour your “Skills to Focus On” with the trainee are cup work and horizontal submersions. 

Spend a few extra minutes on cup work and horizontal zen sweeps while gathering the class and then focus on horizontal submersions and jellyfish floats in your breath control section. Incorporate the FOW back-floating suggestions during backfloating section and if you are running short on time skip or shorten rollovers or free time.

Example:

Skills to Focus On    Second Class Water Training

TRAINER: 

• Trainee leads all songs & hippo exercise for remaining classes.
• Teach all horizontal/flat submersions 
• Focus on handholds, cues & the whys. 
• Tell the trainee what you are looking for as parents practice. Are their submersions successful? Are parents & kids confident? Nervous? Who needs help…demonstrate or talk about ways to approach.

FOW Focus of the Week    Backfloats and Backstroke

Little Snappers, Clownfish, Goldfish, 

• Can the class hang on the wall? Listen to the music?
• Focus on correct hand placement and technique. 
  • Sandwich hold until the student relaxes.
  • Build trust. Student has to feel the water support them.
  • Use eye contact with the student to get the head and shoulders back