How to Incorporate Feedback and Corrections During Lessons

Feedback is a powerful tool for improvement in swimming, especially during lessons. Whether you're a beginner learning to float or an advanced swimmer refining technique, the ability to absorb, apply, and retain corrections is what drives real progress. But simply hearing feedback isn't enough — swimmers need strategies to turn advice into action in real time.

In this article, we’ll break down how swimmers, coaches, and even parents can help make feedback during swim lessons more effective and impactful.

🧠 Why Feedback Matters

Swimming is a technique-heavy sport. Small adjustments in posture, hand position, or timing can make a huge difference in speed and efficiency. Consistent feedback helps swimmers:

• Correct bad habits early

• Reinforce proper form

• Build self-awareness in the water

• Increase confidence through visible improvement

But it only works when the swimmer knows how to respond to it.

🏊‍♀️ Tips for Swimmers: Applying Feedback During Lessons

1. Listen Actively and Ask Questions

When your coach gives a correction, stop and listen. If something doesn’t make sense, ask for clarification right away.

🗣️ “Do you mean bend my elbow more during the pull?”🗣️ “Can you show me what the glide should look like?”

✅ Better understanding leads to better execution.

2. Focus on One Fix at a Time

Trying to change too many things at once can lead to frustration. Coaches often give one key correction per set — zero in on that.

🎯 Focus example: “Just keep your head still during backstroke” — don’t worry about the arm angle until the head is fixed.

✅ Master one detail before moving to the next.

3. Repeat and Reinforce

After a correction, repeat the drill or lap while intentionally applying the fix. Repetition helps lock in the new movement pattern.

🔁 Example: If you’re told to extend more during freestyle, exaggerate it slightly on the next few laps to build muscle memory.

✅ Reinforce change through immediate practice.

4. Use Visual and Physical Cues

If you’re a visual learner, ask your coach to demonstrate the movement or show video feedback. For kinesthetic learners, tactile cues (like feeling where your arms enter) help internalize the correction.

✅ Match feedback to your learning style.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Trying something new might feel awkward at first — that’s part of the learning process. Coaches notice and appreciate the effort.

✅ Progress comes from experimenting, adjusting, and repeating.

🧑‍🏫 Tips for Coaches: Giving Feedback That Sticks

✅ Be Clear and Specific

Instead of saying “fix your stroke,” try:

“Your left hand is entering too wide — bring it in line with your shoulder.”

✅ Use the “Positive Sandwich”

• Compliment → Correction → Encouragement

“Great job on the kick. Let’s bring your chin lower on the breath. You’ve got this!”

✅ Give Time to Practice the Change

After giving feedback, let swimmers try again without interrupting mid-lap unless it’s a safety issue.

✅ Reinforce the Fix Later

Don’t assume one correction is enough. Revisit it in future sets or sessions to build long-term habits.

🧩 Tips for Parents Supporting Young Swimmers

• Encourage kids to listen and try, not to “be perfect”

• Praise effort when they apply feedback

• Ask what they learned or practiced that day — reinforce that lesson outside the pool

• Avoid giving your own technical advice if you're not the coach — stay supportive

🏁 Final Thoughts

Improving in swimming is all about consistent, thoughtful practice — and that starts with learning how to apply corrections effectively. When swimmers focus on one fix at a time, seek clarity, and repeat new skills with purpose, progress comes faster and more confidently.

Whether you're a swimmer or coach, remember: feedback isn’t criticism — it’s your fastest path to better technique.