i know there has been a number of posts/threads on this topic and i did search the archives, but i still wanted to post this thread. ok, so i've been trying to learn freestyle since 2005, and i still haven't got the breathing right. this has been really frustrating for me. i practice almost every day on a pool that is about 5' 5'' deep at one end. i have done a lot of research-hours of youtubing and checking out swimfast dvds have resulted in nothing! i've invested about $200 into private lessons, with no significant output! my goal is very simple-to swim freestyle laps in a 25 yard pool; is that asking for too much? i'm not interested in the other difficult strokes! i think my problem lies in the fact that i don't breathe out air completely before breathing in! are there any drills to work on that? also, some swimmers say that breath out through your nose, and some say through your mouth-i'm confused! if anyone can help me out, i'd really appreciate it! i want to learn this thing, and as you can see, i don't want to give up! TIA!
Parents
Former Member
Welcome to the forum!!!
As for breathing, what is the exact issue you are having? And if possible, do you have a camera that can take video? If so get a friend to video you while you are swimming and post that on You tube. I have found that posting video on youtube then putting a link here is one of the fastest ways to get an accurate diagnosis of the issue(s) and there are many knowledgable folks here who are more than willing to provide positive feedback and recommendations.
For me, I breath slowly out my nose so it looks like I have a small stream of bubbles leaving my nostrils. It is a relaxed exhalation as I do not try to force air out my nose. I also concentrate on starting my rotation to breathe as my opposite hand enters the water and I return my head to neutral position as my arm reaches full extension and I start my pull. I also concentrate on breathing 'one eyed', what I mean is that I try to rotate my head to the left (I breathe uni-laterally) just far enough that only my left eye is out of the water.
Post that video and it may surprise you that what you thought was a breathing problem way turn out to be something else.
Paul
thanks a lot for a prompt response on a topic that has been belabored a lot here! i've heard about the one-eyed breathing; lindsay benko on her freestyle dvd had mentioned about that one-goggle breathing technique with a twisted mouth!
i'll try to get the video of my action and then go from there! i don't know why i run out of breath after a few strokes, maybe not proper inhaling or complete exhaling!
Welcome to the forum!!!
As for breathing, what is the exact issue you are having? And if possible, do you have a camera that can take video? If so get a friend to video you while you are swimming and post that on You tube. I have found that posting video on youtube then putting a link here is one of the fastest ways to get an accurate diagnosis of the issue(s) and there are many knowledgable folks here who are more than willing to provide positive feedback and recommendations.
For me, I breath slowly out my nose so it looks like I have a small stream of bubbles leaving my nostrils. It is a relaxed exhalation as I do not try to force air out my nose. I also concentrate on starting my rotation to breathe as my opposite hand enters the water and I return my head to neutral position as my arm reaches full extension and I start my pull. I also concentrate on breathing 'one eyed', what I mean is that I try to rotate my head to the left (I breathe uni-laterally) just far enough that only my left eye is out of the water.
Post that video and it may surprise you that what you thought was a breathing problem way turn out to be something else.
Paul
thanks a lot for a prompt response on a topic that has been belabored a lot here! i've heard about the one-eyed breathing; lindsay benko on her freestyle dvd had mentioned about that one-goggle breathing technique with a twisted mouth!
i'll try to get the video of my action and then go from there! i don't know why i run out of breath after a few strokes, maybe not proper inhaling or complete exhaling!
