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Water Entry Water Entry from Sitting Position — Assisted (Shoulder Method)       Teaching Points     Athlete sits on edge of pool with feet in water. Coach stands in front of athlete in the water. Athlete places hands on coach's shoulders, keeping eye contact with coach.     Athlete leans forward. Coach places hands on athlete's upper arms and slowly walks backward.     Athlete slides into the water to a standing position. Water Entry - Assisted (Dartfish)     Coaching Tips Have swimmers wear swim goggles to become aware of the new sensation. Reinforce that you have hold of the swimmer, and that he/she is safe. As the swimmer becomes more relaxed and comfortable, offer less assistance as swimmer is lowered into the water. Take care that the athlete does not jump forward and crash into you. Move back carefully and guide the swimmer to your side.     Water Entry from a Sitting Position — Assisted (Hand-to-Hand Method)   Teaching Points Sit on edge of pool facing the coach in the water. Place athlete's hands (palms down) on the coach's hands (palms up). Athlete leans forward and slides into the water, putting weight on hands for balance. Athlete assumes a standing position.   Coaching Tips Make sure the athlete keeps eye contact with the coach. Give verbal reassurance to the athlete. Make sure the athlete's feet are on the bottom before letting athlete's hands go.     Water Entry — Twist Method   Teaching Points     Sit on the edge of the pool with legs in the water.     Place palms down on the deck and rotate body 180 degrees.   Athlete will end up facing the pool wall, arms and chest supporting the body.     Coaching Tips Model the action of sitting on pool deck, placing feet in water, palms down on deck. Stand in front of athlete in the water or, behind, on the deck. Assist athlete as needed. Place two tape marks, shoulder distance apart, on the deck edge. Sit the athlete to the side of tape markings (opposite athlete's dominant side). Once seated, have athlete reach with dominant hand across body and onto far tape mark. Head and shoulders will turn with arm placement. When body is firmly placed on the deck edge and upper body rotated, athlete will turn (roll) hips, legs, and feet so that the entire body position depends on strength. Stand behind the athlete and gently assist him/her into the water. If possible, a second coach can assist in the water. Use of a kickboard by the athlete is recommended when a second coach is not available. The purpose of the kickboard is to balance and/or support the individual and to prevent the body from totally immersing.     Water Entry — Using a Ladder   Teaching Points Athlete faces toward pool wall. Grip top of the ladder with thumbs on the inside and fingers on the outside of ladder railing. Place feet on first step of ladder. Continue down ladder one step at a time until both feet are on the bottom.   Coaching Tips Place tape on ladder to indicate proper place for each hand: red for one hand, green for the other. Stand in front of the athlete, giving verbal cues to ensure proper hand position. The second coach ensures proper foot position while standing behind the athlete in the water, giving support as needed.     Water Entry — the Waist Hold Method (Use for maximum assistance)   Teaching Points Athlete places hands around coach's neck. Coach supports athlete by holding athlete's waist. Athlete maintains eye contact with coach.     Water Entry — Hand-to-Hand Method (Use for maximum assistance)   Teaching Points Athlete places his/her hands (palms down) on the coach's hands (palms up). Both coach and athlete keep arms straight.     Water Entry — Front Pull   Teaching Points Athlete places hands (palms down) on top of coach's hands (palms up). Both athlete and coach keep arms straight. Using this method, the coach is free to walk backward pulling the athlete around pool.     Water Entry — Back Float Shoulder Support (Use for maximum assistance)   Teaching Points Support the athlete while he/she leans back into the back floating position. Coach pulls the athlete in close, resting the athlete's head on his/her shoulder. Coach supports the athlete by holding the athlete's waist.     Water Entry — Back Float Back Support   Teaching Points Support the athlete while he/she leans into back floating position. Support the athlete just below the shoulder blades. Head can be supported on the coach's arms if necessary.     Water Entry — Side Method   Teaching Points Athlete leans back into the back floating position while the coach supports. Athlete is held by the hips or in the middle of the back. This method allows good eye contact between coach and athlete.

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