Freestyle Breathing Question

Just want to let you know, John, that nothing in swimming is learned quickly. It takes time for you to consciously learn the drill, then allow your brain to subconsciously accept it. The shortest time it took for my body to learn something was four months. And I was working on the change every day. But it can happen. I'm actually working on breathing on both sides for my freestyle races, and I'm in month two. Still not easy.

Make sure you are keeping your opposite arm stretched out while trying to breathe, once your arm drops you'll start dropping. Also I am a fan of putting a paddle on the one weak hand, it will help. My guess is your technique is off a bit on that side.

I had more or less the same problem 7 years ago. I was originally taught to swim breathing on only one side, and if I started a lap trying to breathe on my left side, I just couldn't do it. By the end of the lap, I'd have switched back to my right side, and I wasn't even clear on exactly how it happened. The way I got over it was by attending a Total Immersion weekend workshop in February of 1999. Total Immersion essentially retrains your stroke using a set of drills that are far enough removed from regular swimming that your mind doesn't realize it's swimming, and can therefore learn new habits. Since the drills are done on both sides, your new stroke develops symmetrically. I went into the workshop on the morning of the first day unable to breathe on my left side, and came out on the afternoon of the following day breathing on both sides, and I have been breathing on both sides ever since. Bob

Originally posted by Bob McAdams I had more or less the same problem 7 years ago. I was originally taught to swim breathing on only one side, and if I started a lap trying to breathe on my left side, I just couldn't do it. By the end of the lap, I'd have switched back to my right side, and I wasn't even clear on exactly how it happened. The way I got over it was by attending a Total Immersion weekend workshop in February of 1999. Total Immersion essentially retrains your stroke using a set of drills that are far enough removed from regular swimming that your mind doesn't realize it's swimming, and can therefore learn new habits. Since the drills are done on both sides, your new stroke develops symmetrically. I went into the workshop on the morning of the first day unable to breathe on my left side, and came out on the afternoon of the following day breathing on both sides, and I have been breathing on both sides ever since. Bob Patiently waiting for the TI bashers to arrive.... I am a single sided breather and I really need to break out my 4 strokes TI DVD to get a handle on it. Maybe after the February meet I'll make an effort.

You shouldn't be turning your head to breathe. You should be rotating your whole body and not just your head. You swim faster on your side. Get either an Eddie Reese or Dave Marsh Freestyle video and learn, correct, or be sure you have the correct rotation in your stroke. These videos will supply you with the necessary drills. Once the rotation is there all you have to do is rotate your body when you want to take a breath.

I actually just statred doing this after bascially the same exact issue. You just have to keep practicing. Start out slowly, figure out your form on the right & mimic it on the left side. I will probably always favor my right side but at least I am comfortable enought to breathe on both sides after a month.

I would try drills using only the left hand to swimm and keeping the right one on front without moving it, and breathing (of course on the left side) every 3 or 4 strokes, rolling your body every stroke. Lests say 5x100 the same way.:cool:

I learned by using pull buoys. The buoys kept me a little higher in the water, so I didn't swallow quite as much water! Another drill that our coach had us do was to breathe to the same side of the pool. For example, our pool had bleachers one one side of the room. He would tell us to swim a 500 "breathing toward the bleachers." In other words, we'd be breathing on our right going down the pool, and breathing on our left coming back. When you do this drill, pay attention to what you're "looking at" (the bleachers, the rope, the wall, the clock, whatever) when you breathe on your good side. Then try to focus on the same object when you're breathing on your bad side. Anna Lea

Excellent post! When I started back swimming 2 months ago, I had the exact same problem. Then my left shoulder became sore and I chalked it up to incorrect form and breathing only on my right side. Here is what I did and it really has helped. I read Total Immersion and did alot of drills. Also, just the basic drills used by all coaches. I also did what Anna suggested and would breath on the left for one length of the pool and then on the right for the length back. I have now developed the habit of breathing every 3rd stroke. You just have to keep practicing. I felt the best drill was kicking on your side. Face down, on your side, one arm at your side out of the water, the other arm stretched out in front - count of 4 then switch to the other side. Also, I was surprised, but the finger tip drag drill was awesome too. I don't really know why it helped with the rotation and breathing, but it did. Good luck!

A good balance drill would be to kick with your arms glued to your side and breathe bilatterally. DO NOT move your arms. This will help you with your rotation. It may be a TI drill, but I stole it from Natalie Coughlin ...