Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Practice Exam

The correct method for teaching the freestyle stroke is to emphasize body position, arm movement, and breathing techniques. This approach ensures that students develop a comprehensive understanding of how to swim freestyle effectively.

Focusing on body position is crucial, as it helps swimmers maintain a streamlined posture that reduces drag while moving through the water. Proper arm movement is essential for propulsion, and understanding how to coordinate arm strokes with the correct breathing technique is key to sustaining effort and efficiency in the water.

By prioritizing these elements together, students can learn to integrate their movements seamlessly, allowing for a smoother and more efficient swimming technique. This method also fosters a holistic learning experience rather than isolating specific components, which might lead to gaps in understanding how they all interconnect during the freestyle stroke.

In contrast, concentrating solely on kicking techniques neglects the importance of other critical components that contribute to a successful freestyle stroke. Teaching breathing first without addressing body position may hinder the swimmer's ability to form a solid foundation for the stroke. Additionally, limiting instruction to in-water practice would omit vital aspects of technique that can be taught on land, such as dryland drills for arm movement and body mechanics.

Overall, this comprehensive focus aligns with best practices for effective swim instruction and helps students become