The 10
Stages of the Plan
The ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS)
was first launched in 1997 and as part of ongoing improvement and
ensuring all that the ASA products are in line with current
thinking, a review has taken place resulting in a revised product
which is keeping pace with the needs of the sport and in particular
the needs of the athletes. The revised National Plan for Teaching
Swimming (NPTS) takes the non-swimmer on a journey, from the first
splash to developing confidence and competence in the water.
Changes to the revised NPTS have focused particularly on
- Synergy and streamlining the programmes which embrace
Fundamentals of movement in the learn to swim environment
- A revision of the outcomes that are required to achieve each
Stage to ensure that the expectations of Long Term Athlete
Development (LTAD) are reflected
- Acquiring skills that are essential to enable confidence and
competence in the water
- Improving the consistency in assessment of outcomes at each
Stage of an athlete’s development
The Swimmer’s ‘journey through aquatics’ starts
with FOUNDATION, a Programme for developing early years water
confidence, which is encouraged through sessions such as ‘adult and
child’ and ‘pre-school’ sessions. The emphasis is upon development
of very basic motor skills and introduction to water and the
swimming environment through fun and games. The ‘ASA Duckling’
Awards provide rewards appropriate for this section.
The next stage along the ‘journey’ takes a Swimmer through
FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS, STAGE 1 - 7 of the NPTS. There are
smaller stepping-stones for Swimmers who are not yet ready for Stage
1 of the NPTS and who may have ADDITIONAL NEEDS requirements in
order to progress. The ‘ASA Alpha’ Awards provide rewards
appropriate for this section.
A brief overview of Stages 1 - 7:
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|
Stage 1 |
|
Developing basic safety awareness, the
‘class’ scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills.
Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands, floats, etc. |
|
Stage 2 |
| Developing
safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel
front and back up to a distance of 5 metres, plus rotation to regain
upright positions. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands, floats, etc. |
|
Stage 3 |
| Developing
safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front
and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. At this
stage, the Swimmer will be assessed without the use of aids or support. |
|
Stage 4 |
| Developing
the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining
kicking technique for all strokes, and swimming 10 metres to a given
standard as directed by the asa. |
|
Stage 5 |
| Developing
‘watermanship’ through sculling and treading water skills and complete
rotation, also performing all strokes for a distance of 10 metres to the
given standard as provided by the asa within the NPTS resources. |
|
Stage 6 |
| Developing
effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing across all
strokes plus swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of the
Swimmers choice; developing the water safety aspects and understanding
of preparation for exercise. |
|
Stage 7 |
| Developing
quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt
and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully
an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished
throughout stages 1 - 7. |
|
Stages 8 - 10 |
Once the
Swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident,
competent and safe in the water through stages 1 - 7, the Swimmer may
then have the choice to take part in different aquatic disciplines.
FUNDAMENTAL SPORT SKILLS, STAGES 8 - 10 of the NPTS are available in
Competitive Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and
Rookie Lifesaving. Dependent on each leisure facility, all or some of
these opportunities may be available.
Stages 8, 9 and 10 of the NPTS are discipline specific and have synergy
with the grass roots programmes developed by the disciplines to support
their individual sport. These are as follows:
Flip n Fun = Diving
AquaFun = Synchronised Swimming
Mini-polo! = Water Polo
For Stages 8, 9 and 10 Competitive Swimming have developed Awards
specifically to support the NPTS.
The ASA and the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) have worked closely
together in developing stages 8, 9 and 10 in producing awards that link
into the asa NPTS. The syllabus relating to the Rookie Lifesaving stages
can be accessed through the RLSS.
As a result of completing ALL the outcomes detailed within each stage of
the NPTS, a set of awards are available, the ‘National Plan Awards’
relate to each stage,
from 1 - 10. |
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Address: Neptune Learn to
Swim, 18 Adam
Street,
Kidderminster,
Worcestershire, DY11 6PS, UK
Email:
Email to
enquire
Mobile:
07905 000408
(Tracy Darkes)
Monday-Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 1.00 pm
Ring me anytime and leave a message, I will endeavour to get back to you within
48 hrs. |
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