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ASA
National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) The National Plan for Teaching Swimming is an ASA endorsed template for all learn to swim scheme, it provides detailed direction and guidance for any lesson providers. The focus of all the elements of the NPTS
is to establish both water confidence, and a sound foundation in the basic
elements of propulsion in all strokes, through a series of developmental stages. We have introduced a Preliminary Safety
Award for non or early swimmers, together with a Water Rescue Award.
The
NPTS is a national initiative. The Key principles are:
NON-SWIMMER LEVELS - National Swim Awards 1 & 2. This category
covers the initial process of introducing those with no previous experience of
swimming to the new water environment, developing confidence and being at ease in
the water. Achieved to a great
extent through informal play, the main outcomes involve moving around quite
freely, submerging and opening the eyes, floating and using the arms and legs to
achieve a simple form of travelling through the water BEGINNERS - National Swim Awards 3 & 4. At this stage,
the emphasis moves to building a sound foundation in those aspects of "waterman ship"
which later on will underpin the performance of sound swimming technique. As
well as becoming completely "at home" on and under the water, these
skills include developing control in water of breathing and beginning to
experiment with the different methods of using the limbs for propulsion.
To move to
an
improvers class children must
show they are capable of swimming in deeper water due to the depth of water
where this class takes place – preferably a length of the pool on their back
and front.
IMPROVERS 1 - National Swim Awards 5 &
6. The focus is
now on building competence in the basic elements of propulsion, using the main
swimming strokes with a continuing emphasis on the importance of good
streamlining and breathing control. This is accompanied by the introduction of a
range of aquatic skills such as sculling, treading water and swimming
underwater. IMPROVERS 2 - National Swim Awards 7 &
8 The aim here is
to consolidate the aquatic skills and develop kicking and pulling abilities
along with controlled breathing, so that pupils can swim competently, using
correct basic techniques on three of the main strokes over the standard distance
of 25 metres and on butterfly over 10 metres. In addition, turns and essential
safe foundation practices for diving are introduced. ADVANCED 1 - National Swim Awards 9 &
10. Once an
acceptable degree of basic competence is achieved in the fundamental
skills at Improver 2, it is time to progress to the development of more
efficient swimming in this category. This level also consolidates the wider
range of associated aquatic disciplines, synchronised swimming, water polo and
diving as well as providing for the development of a greater awareness and
expertise in personal water safety and survival swimming. From this stage,
pupils with the interest and enthusiasm will be ready to move on to
participation across the range of swimming and aquatic sports with a solid
foundation. ADVANCED 2 - National Swim Awards 11 &
12 Further
development of the main swimming strokes is taught. This category acts as a
gentle introduction to the early stages of training in competitive swimming
& provides pupils with more advanced water skill activities.
The development of both basic aerobic swimming endurance and of swimming
speed is integrated within the programme. PRE-COMPETITION DEVELOPMENT |
