"The Foundations of Vertical Water Training -
The Kopansky Method Pre-Requisite Course and the
Group Aqua Fitness Specialty Training and
Certification Course have been launched in Ontario
and Alberta thus far. All other provinces continue
to use the CALA Combined Foundations of Fitness
Theory and Aquafitness Leadership Training Course,
Part 1 & Part 2. Any person who has completed the
CALA Combined Foundations course, is not required to
complete the Vertical Water Training Course or the
Group Aqua Fitness Specialty Course."
Aquafit Cues
Communication to the
Participants is Essential
Visual
Cueing
The
aquatic environment creates communication challenges. Since
hearing is difficult, it is often more effective to cue
without words. The ability to use the instructor's body as an
effective cueing tool is a key reason why CALA trained
instructors are encouraged to lead from deck. Research in the
field of communication indicates that people "hear"
only about 7% of what is said, and the bulk of the message is
communicated non-verbally through facial expression, posture,
and actions. Effective visual cueing is a worthwhile creative
challenge
Tips
for Cuing
Successful
cueing involves a combination of visual and verbal
communication. To maximize the effectiveness of cues in an
aquatic environment:
Keep
verbal and visual cues brief and to the point
Use
visual cues when possible to save your vocal cords
Forecast
movement changes to allow participants to feel successful
Cue
and change one thing at a time (tempo, buoyancy adoption,
arm or leg pattern
Observe
participants carefully to see that cues were interpreted
as intended
Create
a clear picture of the desired movement outcome
Model
and reinforce correct alignment
Encourage
and motivate
Demonstrate
and explain movement modifications
Explain
exercise purpose to heighten participant knowledge an
motivation
Reinforce
non-judgmental permission for participants to select
suitable exercise options
Vary
cueing energy and style to suit the class phase
Create
a climate for self-expression, humour, fit tips and
interpersonal relationships
CALA
has developed standardized verbal and visual cues as follows:
Postural-Alignment
Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Long
Spine
Stand
tall, using one hand, starting at the front of the
pelvis, close an imaginary zipper as you draw the hand
up the centre of the body, face and above the top of the
head.
Shoulders
Down
Place
each hand on top of each shoulder, with shoulders
elevated. Reach the top of the head to the ceiling, push
the shoulders down, and lengthen the neck. Let the hands
slide off the ends of the shoulders in a relaxed manner.
Long
Neck
Place
each hand on sides of the neck with the thumbs pushing
down on each clavicle (collar bones) and the finger tips
gently pressing up under the chin, lengthen the neck
while doing this.
Activated
Abdominals
Place
closed fists in the abdominal area, and reinforce the
idea that strong muscular action is expected with facial
expressions. The same type of cue can be used to
indicate tight "gluts" or strong hamstrings.
Point to the body part and close a fist at the location
where you want the mental focus and muscular effort.
Level
Pelvis
Place
both fists on the anterior superior iliac spine;
indicate that the hips are level by pointing the fists
straight ahead. Next, tilt the pelvis bowl forward and
backward, indicating that these are incorrect positions
by shaking the head "No".
Open
Chest
Place
both palms on the chest, draw the hands across the sides
the chest and open the arms and hands wide to each side
of the body (finish with arms abducted at chest height).
Chin
In
Place
two fingers on your chin, retract your chin to indicate
that the chin is not poking forward.
Speed of
Motion - Tempo Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Temp
Make
a "T" shape with the hands by placing the palm
of one hand on top of the fingers of the other hand with
vertical forearm ('time-out' symbol in sports).
Half
Tempo
Hold
one arm vertical (bottom part of 'time-out' symbol
above). Make a diagonal downward slicing action across
the middle of the vertical forearm, then place the
slicing arm on top ("T").
Quarter
Tempo
Same
basic format as the 1 /2 t cue, but perform two distinct
slicing actions
Double
Tempo
Hold
the bottom part of the 'time-out' symbol above, then show
a 'v-shape' with the fingers of the other hand, indicating
'two'. Tapthe
'v-shape', twice, on top of the tips of the hand that is
in a vertical position.
Buoyancy
(LAPS) Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Light
Bounce
With
the hands in front of the chest, make two small upward
circling actions at the wrist.
Anchored
With
both hands starting crossed at the wrists, at chest
height, do the "your safe" signal from
baseball
Propulsion
With
both hands in front of the body, thumbs pointing up,
make a large circle simultaneously with both hands.
Thumbs point up at the finish of the circle, to
demonstrate the idea of 'taking off" from the pool
bottom.
Suspended
Place
one hand palm up, as though carrying a platter. Point
the fingers of the other hand down, toward the palm of
the first hand. Perform a cross country ski action with
the fingers of the superior hand, imitating legs which
have no contact with the pool bottom.
Surface
Area Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Slice
Show
a slice hand position. Draw attention to the hand
position by pointing to and looking at your hand. Then,
show the arm action you want with the slice hand
position.
Fist/Fold
Show
a fist or fold hand position. As above, draw attention
to the hand, then show the arm action you want with the
fist or fold hand.
Flat
Show
a flat hand position. As above, draw attention to the
hand, then show the arm action you want with the flat
hand position.
Gentle
Pointed foot
Show
a gentle point ( plantar flex) position. Draw attention
to the foot position by pointing to and looking at your
foot. Then, show the leg action you want with the
pointed foot position.
Gentle
Flexed Foot
Show
a gentle flex (dorsi flex) position. Draw attention to
the leg as above, then show the leg action you want with
the flexed foot.
Lever
Length
Show
the difference between a long and a short lever. Next,
emphasize the lever length that you suggest, by
demonstrating the move with that lever length option.
Range
of Motion Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Small
ROM
Place
your hands in front of your chest, palms face each
other, about one meter apart. Look at the hands, noting
the distance they are apart. Bring the hands closer
together (about 10 cm apart) and draw attention to them
as you lip synch, "small".
Medium
ROM
Repeat
small ROM signal, starting with hands about one meter
apart. Bring hands closer (about 1 /2 meter apart), lip
synch "medium.
Large/Full
ROM
Start
with hands about a half meter apart. Bring them farther
apart (about one meter apart), lip synch,
"large".
Joint
Safety Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Toe
Ball Heel Landing
Place
one hand palm up, as though carrying a platter. Place
the other hand, palm down, above the first hand. Perform
a wave-like action from the finger tips to the heel of
the top hand Then, draw attention to one foot, slowly
demonstrate a toe ball heel landing, with soft knees.
Unlocked
Joints
Draw
attention to a locked straight joint; shake your head
and mouth "No". With the same joint,
demonstrate a slight bend. Draw attention to the correct
position by looking at the joint, smiling, and nodding
"Yes".
Directional
Cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Change
Sides
Hold
hands high in front, almost touching in a
"prayer position". Move the hands forward and
back by laterally flexing the wrists. The forearms do
not move. Repeat the action for about 4- 6 reps then demonstrate the desired
change.
From
the Top
With
the palm of one hand, tap the top of the head,
repeatedly. This indicates that you are going to repeat
the routine from the beginning (from the top).
Move
Forward
With
both hands in front of body at about chest height or
higher, signal participants to move forward by pulling
them toward you with your hands.
Move
Backward
With
both hands in front of body at about chest height or
higher, signal participants to move backward by pushing
them away from you with your hands. Waving
"goodbye" is another option.
Stop
Place
one hand high in front of your body like a "traffic
cop.
Circle
around Self
With
one hand above your head, make a small circling action
at the wrist, like you are twirling a small lasso.
Other
important cues
Verbal
Cue
Visual
Cue
Watch
my ...
Point
to side of eye(s) with finger(s), then point to area you
want them to
observe.
Count
Down
Hold
one hand high in front of you. Use fingers to show count
down for, "four, three" only. Use the counts
for "two and one" to demonstrate the desired
movement change. The fingers must be well spread apart
and straight. The palm of the hand faces the
participants
Breathe
Point
to the side of the mouth and nose, do an exaggerated
breathing motion.
Alternative
moves
Same
cue as "change sides.
Unison
moves
Pat
the parts of your body that will be performing the
unison move, then show "2" with your fingers
in the air, then demo the move if possible.
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