np4117 Didactics of Swimming

Faculty of Sports Studies
autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Michaela Bátorová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Petr Cvrček (lecturer)
Mgr. Petr Cvrček (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Silvie Kodešová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Silvie Kodešová, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Supplier department: Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Timetable of Seminar Groups
np4117/UTVhl: Tue 16. 9. to Tue 9. 12. Tue 10:00–11:40 B11/236, Wed 11:00–12:00 bazén TJ Tesla Lesná, except Tue 23. 9., except Tue 7. 10., except Tue 21. 10., except Tue 11. 11., except Tue 25. 11., except Tue 9. 12., M. Bátorová, P. Cvrček, S. Kodešová
np4117/02: Tue 16. 9. to Tue 9. 12. Tue 10:00–11:40 B11/236, Wed 13:00–14:00 bazén TJ Tesla Lesná, except Tue 23. 9., except Tue 7. 10., except Tue 21. 10., except Tue 11. 11., except Tue 25. 11., except Tue 9. 12., M. Bátorová, P. Cvrček, S. Kodešová
Prerequisites
bp4014 Swimming 2 || bk4014 Swimming 2 || bp2083 Swimming III. || bk2083 || bp2036 Swimming II. || bk2036 Swimming II. &&BOZP_OK(bozp_po_stud) && BOZP_OK(bozp_po_stud_fsps)&& BOZP_OK(bozp_fsps_plav)
Basic swimming skills, techniques of swimming methods of breaststroke, backstroke, crawl and basics of butterfly stroke.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to enhance students' theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the didactics of swimming. Students will acquire competencies for teaching swimming across different age groups and performance levels, develop basic skills in swimming technique analysis, lesson planning, and gain knowledge of safety principles and water rescue. Emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge in educational and coaching practice, including working with children and individuals with special needs.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
Characterize the basic swimming strokes and the principles of their instruction.
Apply didactic and methodological principles to the planning and delivery of swimming lessons.
Design a lesson plan appropriate to the age, level, specifics, and number of learners.
Analyze and evaluate swimming techniques, identify errors, and propose strategies for correction.
Demonstrate the correct execution of individual swimming strokes, including starts and turns.
Apply basic elements of water rescue in simulated situations.
Reflect on their own teaching practice during professional placements in swimming instruction.
Syllabus
  • Theoretical Seminars – Classroom (6 × 2 hours)
  • The theoretical seminars will focus on student project presentations aimed at the analysis of swimming technique and the design of methodological approaches for correcting errors identified during practical training.
  • 1. Introduction to the course; technique and didactics of backstroke
  • – Course objectives and requirements.
  • – Planning of a swimming lesson.
  • – Basic swimming skills; overcoming fear of water and aquatic games.
  • – Backstroke technique (leg action, arm stroke, full stroke technique).
  • – Methodology of practicing and teaching backstroke fundamentals according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • – Didactic and technical errors and possibilities for their correction.
  • 2. Technique and didactics of front crawl
  • – Front crawl technique (leg action, arm stroke, breathing technique, full stroke technique).
  • – Methodology of practicing and teaching front crawl according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • – Didactic and technical errors and possibilities for their correction.
  • 3. Technique and didactics of breaststroke
  • – Student presentation – backstroke.
  • – Breaststroke technique (leg action, arm stroke, breathing technique, full stroke technique; flat and undulating style).
  • – Methodology of practicing and teaching breaststroke according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • – Didactic and technical errors and possibilities for their correction.
  • 4. Technique and didactics of butterfly
  • – Student presentation – front crawl.
  • – Butterfly technique (body undulation, arm stroke, breathing technique, full stroke technique).
  • – Methodology of practicing and teaching butterfly according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • – Didactic and technical errors and possibilities for their correction.
  • 5. Technique and didactics of starts and turns
  • – Student presentation – breaststroke.
  • – Swimming starts and turns.
  • – Methodology of practicing and teaching starts and turns according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • – Didactic and technical errors and possibilities for their correction.
  • 6. Water safety and rescue in school swimming education
  • – Student presentation – butterfly.
  • – Principles of safety and water rescue in pools, running water, and open water.
  • – Methodology of water rescue instruction in school swimming according to learners’ age and specific needs.
  • Practical Seminars – Pool
  • The practical seminars are conducted through simulation scenarios with role allocation (teacher, learner, assistant). Each session includes reflection, video analysis of swimming technique, and the development of methodological approaches for error correction. The results are presented by students during the theoretical seminars.
  • 1. Introductory session – basic swimming skills
  • 2. Backstroke – leg action
  • 3. Backstroke – arm stroke and full stroke technique
  • 4. Front crawl – leg action
  • 5. Front crawl – arm stroke and full stroke technique
  • 6. Breaststroke – leg action
  • 7. Breaststroke – arm stroke and full stroke technique
  • 8. Butterfly – leg action
  • 9. Butterfly – arm stroke and full stroke technique
  • 10. Starts and turns
  • 11. Water rescue in swimming education
  • 12. Specifics of teaching para-swimmers and learners with visual impairments
Literature
    required literature
  • BÁTOROVÁ, Michaela. Plavání studentů se specifickými potřebami : metodická příručka. Vydání první. V Brně: Vysoké učení technické, 2015, 221 stran. ISBN 9788021452107. info
    recommended literature
  • MINAŘÍKOVÁ, Gabriela. Jak naučit děti plavat hladce, aneb, Plavání s Plavlem a Plavlínou. Praha: Swim Smooth, 2022. ISBN 978-80-11-00679-2.
  • Didaktika plavání : vybrané kapitoly. Edited by Irena Čechovská - Tomáš Miler. Druhé vydání. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2024, 305 stran. ISBN 9788024659220. URL info
  • ČECHOVSKÁ, Irena; Daniel JURÁK and Jitka POKORNÁ. Plavání : pohybový trénink ve vodě. Třetí vydání. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2024, 89 stran. ISBN 9788024659213. info
  • Hrajeme si na plavání. Edited by Tereza Chlebusová Kandráčová. [Bolatice]: Tereza Chlebusová Kandráčová, 2019, 165 stran. ISBN 9788027059768. info
  • ČECHOVSKÁ, Irena and Tomáš MILER. Plavání. 2., přeprac. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2008, 127 s. ISBN 9788024721545. info
  • ČECHOVSKÁ, Irena. Plavání dětí s rodiči : "plavání" kojenců a batolat, plavecká výuka předškolních dětí předškolního věku, hry a říkadla do vody. 1. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2002, 132 s. ISBN 8024702118. info
  • ROZTOČIL, Tomáš and Jiří ŠVEC. Technika a didaktika plavání :(učební texty pro posluchače oboru tělesná výchova). 1. vyd. Hradec Králové: Gaudeamus, 1996, 71 s. ISBN 80-7041-613-0. info
Teaching methods
– Practical training in the swimming pool conducted through student-led sessions based on model scenarios, complemented by self-reflection and feedback from the instructor and peers.

– Team-based project work with assigned roles (teacher, assistant, analyst, presenter), focused on the preparation, implementation, and analysis of teaching and swimming technique.

– Theoretical seminars oriented towards the didactics of swimming, student presentations, and the application of modern technologies (video analysis, sensors, etc.) for technique assessment and error correction.

– Professional practice in a selected swimming school or club with active participation in instruction (1 observational lesson, 1 active teaching lesson).
Assessment methods
The course is completed upon fulfillment of the following requirements:
– Successful completion of the final examination in E-learning (minimum of 50% correct answers).
– Fulfillment of attendance requirements (a maximum of 2 absences in theoretical seminars and 2 absences in practical seminars).
– Active participation in teaching practice in swimming instruction (minimum of 2 hours: 1 observational lesson [passive] + 1 active lesson [leading a class]).
– Submission of a confirmation of completed practice (including the name of the organization, name of the coach, signature, and official stamp).
– Submission of a concise written self-reflection from the practice.
– Active participation in didactic teaching outputs (submission of a team lesson plan) and presentation of the project during the theoretical seminar.
Náhradní absolvování
In duly justified cases, the course may be completed jointly with students of the part-time (combined) study program.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
A maximum of two unexcused absences in practical seminars and two absences in theoretical seminars is permitted. Compensation for further absences is possible only with the consent of the course instructor.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, spring 2021, autumn 2021, autumn 2022, autumn 2023, autumn 2024.
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