I was watching the duel in the pool USA v Australia and I have a question, Michael Phelps and many others seem to breath on only one side, I have heard many coaches advocate breathing on both sides for a more balanced stroke, Is it now just a preference or what? Just wondering.
Former Member
You can also alternate breathe by always breathing to the same side of the pool, thus alternating breathing right one length, and left one length.
You must twist your face or squint or do something different when you breathe on your off side that causes your goggles to leak. Try another, different, pair of goggles.
I'm sure when I breathe on my off side I probably grimace :(
I agree with Dan. Most likely, you are less relaxed breathing on your weak side, thereby "making a face" as you turn that way. Try to relax as you breath on your weak side, or try different goggles (different socket shape or type of seal may help). Sometimes I have a similar problem using my swedes, but rarely if ever have the same issue with other goggle types.
I used to breathe strictly to the right. Since making a concerted effort to bilateral breathe about 5-7 years ago it now feels almost as comfortable to breathe to both sides. I also have less shoulder issues with the left shoulder (which used to get cranked pretty hard because I rested too much of my body weight on it when breathing).
In practice, I am nearly 100% bilateral breathing, using a 2 right, 2 left pattern. In all-out practice sprints or in a race though(especially 100 yds or less) I'll default to right only.
I can breathe both sides I prefer to breathe only on the left side. I will occasionally bilateral breathe to watch another swimmer swimming on my right side.
Chuck, I have to interrupt this thread and say that I LOVE YOU NEW AVATAR! You and your wife look so cute!...now back to the topic!
Interesting thing going on with me: My stroke count per 25 yards is usually 1 less if I swim the entire length breathing my bad side. So maybe my stroke is more correct when I breathe that way. But for now I am slightly faster when breathing on my good side.
Wow...maybe that speaks for itself. I bet if you worked on bilateral breathing, you'd swim even faster.
I usually breathe both sides: better balance and helps with sighting in OW swimming. When I'm going fast (Fast for me that is) I breathe on one side, but I will switch sides every length for the same reasons above.
