Breathing is often cited as the hardest aspect of Freestyle and is definitely something that takes a lot of practice. Some swimmers have very strong arms and legs, but are slowed down significantly by the disruption to their stroke caused by the panicked effort of fitting in a breath.

Relax! Breathe! There’s a better way. Here are some tips on Freestyle breathing:

Don’t hold your breath

It may be counter intuitive, but instead of holding your breath, you should be expelling air while underwater. By holding your breath, you will have to both exhale and inhale in the short period of time you have above water. This leads to the dreaded gasping for air. Instead, continually breathing out through your nose (or mouth) and emptying your lungs will mean you’re ready for a quick inhale when you turn your head.

Turn your head not lift

By lifting your head out of the water you’re also likely pushing your legs down out of the water. This makes for an inefficient position, slowing you down due to increased drag. Instead try to roll your head as your body rotates. Keeping one goggle under will help make sure you’re not lifting your head. By rolling with your stroke and not lifting against it, your mouth will be right at the surface in the trough created by your moving head.

Breathe earlier

As your hand starts to past your hip begin turning your head on that side and submerge again as your hand is coming around ready to enter the water. Turn, quick breath with mouth, back underwater.

Consider bilateral breathing

Many coaches teach bilateral breathing, breathing every third stroke and switching sides. Not only does this encourage a balance stroke so that one side isn’t stronger than the other, but it can be helpful for when you’re out in open water where waves or wind may hinder breathing to one side.

Practice makes perfect

Breathing in Freestyle is a skill that has to be learnt. Work on breathing out underwater while bobbing up and down in shallow water; work on feeling the rotation by kicking on your side with your arm reaching forwards; work on timing with one armed Freestyle. Before long you’ll be breathing calmly which will help relax the rest of your body and result in an overall smoother and more efficient stroke, making those laps a breeze!

Written by

Dee