Methodological strategies for teaching freestyle to young swimmers (Aged 9 to 11) in a regional club
Keywords:
biomechanics, sport movement, phases, freestyle, swimming, technique.Abstract
This study addresses the teaching of freestyle (crawl) to children aged 9 to 11, with an emphasis on the application of methodological techniques and the use of pedagogical and scientific assessment tools. Through a quantitative approach, an intervention was designed that incorporated progressive activities, an observation guide, surveys for coaches and parents, and statistical analysis using pretest and posttest evaluations. Thirty children from a regional swimming club participated, divided into a control group and an experimental group. The study followed a quasi-experimental design with an explanatory scope, focusing on evaluating technical improvement in freestyle after an eight-week intervention. Results showed statistically significant improvements in the experimental group in variables such as arm-leg coordination, body position, and breathing pattern. Techniques used included structured observation, Likert-scale surveys, and analysis using paired-sample t-tests. The evaluation was conducted by certified coaches and analyzed using Student’s t-test for both independent and related samples, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Additionally, effect size was calculated using Cohen’s d. The findings support the effectiveness of a structured and segmented teaching approach, utilizing audiovisual resources and specific exercises. The results were compared with similar studies by authors such as Maglischo (2019), Arellano (2017), and Counsilman (2002), showing alignment with their conclusions on the importance of technique from early ages.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Gonzalo Garcia Menendez, María José Peralta Machado, Danilo Charchabal Pérez
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