I am swimming with a new coach and she is quite adamant that my breathe every stroke rhythm is holding me back and I *might* hyperventilate. I look at breathing as a choice. I don't breathe every time my head comes up, but rather do it for rhythm. As in head down strokes tend to lead to my hips dropping later in a race. So, I find the head up every stroke helps me with that.
Is there any other reason why I *need* to take a head down stroke that she isn't explaining to me? I'm almost getting to the point where I'm tuning her out unfortunately, but if it's simply a 'hyperventilate' mantra it makes zero sense b/c bringing ones head up doesn't necessitate a breath.
Is the only reason to take a head down stroke to avoid hyperventilating? I have asked her this question and received 'yes', but would like to hear from the forum brain trust on this. Thank you! If this is a technique issue by lowering the head that will make me faster I'm all for it, but I want to hear the how and why b/f I potentially disrupt the rhythm of my stroke.
Parents
Former Member
There is absolutely no way you can ever hyperventilate swimming butterfly.
I was taught head down to keep hips up and stay flatter in the water. If you have a strong enough second kick and finish with your hands, there may be no benefit to keeping the head down. In that case breathe away.
I would desperately love to be able to breathe every stroke, but my stroke shortens and I tip vertically. One of my primary goals in the next few months is to fix my Fly enough to be able to breathe every stroke.
There is absolutely no way you can ever hyperventilate swimming butterfly.
I was taught head down to keep hips up and stay flatter in the water. If you have a strong enough second kick and finish with your hands, there may be no benefit to keeping the head down. In that case breathe away.
I would desperately love to be able to breathe every stroke, but my stroke shortens and I tip vertically. One of my primary goals in the next few months is to fix my Fly enough to be able to breathe every stroke.
