My 10 year old son just started swimming on a non-competitive swim team this year. He mentioned in passing that he holds his breath while his face is in the water when swimming freestyle. He is not very fast right now, so it probably doesn't harm him now, but I would like to break him of this habit before it sticks! He said the timing of the exhale and inhale confuses him and he ends up choking on water. He breathes every 3 strokes and I've always learned to breathe every other stroke. How does the exhale/inhale work for every 3 strokes. It seems like a long time to exhale?
Should I try to talk to the coach to convert him to breathe every 2 pulls?
I would not suggest going to the coach with suggestions - that is his/her job, and if yours are like mine, they see their share of parents who dont realize that there is more to coaching swimming than a typical rec league ball sport for kindergartners. Until you know your coach a little better, you'd be risking that label.
If you want to talk to your coach, approach him/her in a questioning manner. Coach may be working on other basic stuff before perfecting breathing. Or the coach may not be aware. Perhaps they offer private lessons, which may not only help, but give the coach a chance to look for some specific things in a 1 on 1 that could then be looked for with the group.
But the main thing is to first understand what the coach is doing before questioning it.
Should I try to talk to the coach to convert him to breathe every 2 pulls?
I would not suggest going to the coach with suggestions - that is his/her job, and if yours are like mine, they see their share of parents who dont realize that there is more to coaching swimming than a typical rec league ball sport for kindergartners. Until you know your coach a little better, you'd be risking that label.
If you want to talk to your coach, approach him/her in a questioning manner. Coach may be working on other basic stuff before perfecting breathing. Or the coach may not be aware. Perhaps they offer private lessons, which may not only help, but give the coach a chance to look for some specific things in a 1 on 1 that could then be looked for with the group.
But the main thing is to first understand what the coach is doing before questioning it.
